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THE CAPTIVITY 

/'*- OF ^y ^c^.-^ C.-C-'-C^ ..//'If ' ' / 

GENERAL CORCORAN. 



THE ONLY AUTHENTIC AND RELIABLE NARRATIVE OF THE 
TRIALS AND SUFFERINGS ENDURED, DURING 

HIS TWELVE MOJJTHS' IMPRISONMENT 



IS 



BICHMOND AND OTHEK SQUTHEEN CITIES, 
BY BRIG.-GENERAL MICHAEL CORCORAN 

THE HEKO OF BULL KUN. 



" One of the few, the immortal names, 
That were not lorn to die P^ — Halleck. 



PHILADELPHIA : 
PUBLISHED BY BARCLAY k CO. 

NO. 56 NORTH SIXTH STREET. 

1862. 



Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1863. by 

BARCLAY & CO., 
In the Clerk's Of2ce of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 




€iiiEiiL (BetiiiAr 



CAPTIVITY. 



\:'j 



In assuming tbe pen for tlie purpose of recording the following 
facts and incidents of a short but eventful experience, I have no 
other purpose than that of laying before you, reader, a few truthful, 
perhaps startling, statements in regard to one who will, as you may 
doubtless suppose, always feel deeply honored by your enthusiasti- 
cally expressed assurances of regard and esteem. 

A little more than a year ago, he left New York City in command 
of the gallant Sixty Ninth, to fight, and, if necessary, to die for the 
beloved land of his adoption. His greatest gratification was to 
lead his men into battle bearing side by side the Star Spangled 
Banner of his American home, and the Emerald Standard of his 
Native isle. And many a time, while confined in a loathsome South- 
ern dungeon, and treated with peculiar indignity and unusual severity 
not only on account of his loyalty to the Union, but also of his 
nationality, he has reverted with pleasure, and yet sorrow, to the day 
on which he was captured. 

On the morning of that day — a calm and holy Sabbath — he went 
forth for the first time upon the field of actual battle. But, placing 
his trust in the God of battles, he joined in the terrible fray with the 
determination either to fight his way to victory or to death. Provi- 
dence, however, appointed it otherwise ; " and, ere the conflict had 
reached its height, he was disarmed and taken prisoner by an over- 
whelming force of the enemy, who instantly hurried him to the 
rear. Soon after the conclusion of the bloody contest, he commenced 

21 



22 THE GALLANT SIXTY NINTH. 

his journey to the Southern prisons, in which he subsequently spent 
many a weary, weary day, cut off, as he was, from home and loved 
ones. To make the narrative more natural and interesting than it 
otherwise would be, the first personal pronoun will be used through- 
out the following pages by 

THE ArTHOR. 



When, years ago, I first set foot upon the shore of the land of my 
choice and adoption, sad, sad indeed were the feelings in my breast. 
Far away over the heaving ocean I had left my native isle in sorrow, 
and I now gazed with a stranger's anxiety over the country that has 
since so highly honored me. The former, ground as it was, and still 
is, beneath the iron heel of a despotic power, afforded me no avenue 
to rise above the level in which I was born ; while the latter gave 
me all the opportunities I longed so for. To the best of my abilities, 
I have improved these, and the result to-day is that I am one of the 
happiest of men. I am happy because I ' have achieved the honor of 
being counted a representative of Irish nationality. True, it enhanced 
the sufferings that I received at the hands of the rebels; but it now 
increases my pleasure tenfold when I hear loyal Americans, in refer- 
iug to me, say, " Michael Corcoran is an Irishman." 

One half of my heart is Erin's, and the other half is America's. 
God bless America, and ever preserve her the asylum of all the 
oppressed of the earth, is the sincere prayer of my heart. 

But let me not loose space in skirmishing with lengthy introduc- 
tions, but get at once, with all my force, into the proposed field of 
my narrative. 

My story should properly begin with my arrival in Richmond ; 
but I prefer, for the purpose of fullness, to commence it much nearer 
home, namely, at that never-to-be-forgotten spot. Bull Run, a spot 
that has twice been baptised W- blood, and twice witnessed the success 
of armies hostile to our Republic. 

All who know me know that I am not a superstitious man ; but, 
during the whole of the day preceding that on which the battle of 
Bull Run was fought, I felt deeply oppressed with a sense of coming 
disaster, which, try as I would, I could not shake off. At six o'clock 
on that evening— Saturday — I issued orders to the Sixty Ninth, in 



THE BATTLE OF BULL's EUF. 23 

accordance with instructions received from a superior officer, to be 
prepared to move forward bj ten o'clock. And a thrill of joyful 
pride ran through me as 'I beheld the alacrity and cheerfulness with 
which the men set themselves about the task. Notwithstanding the 
utmost exertions, however, the regiment was unable to advance 
before two o'clock in the morning. Just after dawn, I halted on the 
edge of a piece of woodland situated between Bull's Eun and 
Manassas Gap. A short distance from us, and supporting us, were 
two Ohio regiments, and the New York Seventy Ninth, under the 
command of the gallant Colonel Cameron. Accompanying this 
whole force were Sherman's celebrated battery and a battery of iron 
guns. 

From daylight up to the moment of our entering the conflict, the 
time flew rapidly away ; and when my brave boys threw themselves 
fiercely against the rebel ranks, they seemed to be as fresh as though 
they had just^^a moment before risen from their camp. 

Ten o'clock found us in the face of two murderous batteries, whose 
position we had only just discovered by receiving their fearful fire 
point blank in our faces. For a moment, the boys wavered, and I 
began to be fearful of their breaking. But I had no more than got 
myself fairly in front of them, and given them the order to charge, 
when, to a single man, they dashed, with terrific shouts and yells, 
straight on to the battery, which was instantly taken. But at this 
juncture the enemy opened upon us two new batteries, and sent an 
overwhelming force of infantry to surround us. Under the circum- 
stances, I knew it would only insure a useless waste of life to hold 
our position, and I was therefore obliged to order a retreat, which 
was conducted in an orderly manner. They went back slowly and 
apparently with dissatisfaction. I well remember one of them, a 
noble-looking fellow of Company F, whose face was covered with 
gore from an ugly wound in the forehead. Every once in a while he 
would turn, and, taking deliberate aim, bring down a rebel officer. 
As he passed me, I said a word or two to him. 

"Ah, Colonel!" he replied, with earnestness, "now won't you plase 
let us have only one more run at the bla'guards, and we'll bring in 
their cannon just! Only say the word, Colonel, and we'll lick 'em 
five to one !" 

But valor must often give way to prudence, and so the retreat was 
continued. As we fell back, I noticed a good opportunity for a dash 
on the enemy, and I accordingly wheeled the Sixty Ninth, and, 
hurled them on the flank of a regiment of Louisiana Zouaves, who 
were so furiously engaged with the Second New York Yolunteers, I 



24 A DESPERATE CONTEST. 

think it was, that our approach was not noticed until we were fully 
upon them. My gallant boys, with this unexpected rush, swept' 
them down like a field of wheat is swept down before the tempes^ 
and they broke and fled in wild disorder. It was at this moment 
that the brave and unfortunate Captain Haggerty fell by the hands 
of a rebel whom he was just on the point of making prisoner. I 
had him carried from the field to a neighboring cottage, where he 
breathed his last quietly and unconsciously. No time was there to 
look to the wounded after that, however, for close by was a South 
Carolina regiment, which, as it was endeavoring to outflank us, we 
instantly charged. They fought, well, contesting our advance inch 
by inch. Still, it was useless, and we pushed them rapidly, and would 
have entirely cleared the field of them had not a battery opened upon 
us with great fury and decimated our ranks. By this time we were 
joined by some of the Fire Zouaves, who had been separated from 
their command. The South Carolinians, on our retread, turned, and, 
making a desperate charge, succeeded in wresting our flag from the 
dying bearer. It was not long in their possession, however, for, with 
a loud yell, an officer of the Fire Zouaves, whose name I subsequently 
ascertained to be Wildey, dashed forward, and, being a large, power- 
ful man, rescued the glorious standard, and returned it to our color 
guard. 

The odds were now so terribly against us, that I again ordered a 
retreat, which movement was being executed in good order, when a 
new danger burst upon us. From behind a piece of woodland, the 
famous Black Horse Cavalry came galloping down upon us with the 
most fearful fury imaginable. In a moment, I gave the necessary 
command to meet them. Their charge was grandly magnificent; and 
I watched my own lines with feverish anxiety. But, thank Heaven ! 
no man wavered. All behaved with veteran coolness; and, as the 
foe came in range, a murderous discharge met and staggered him — 
many a saddle being emptied. It was a fearful contest, and right 
gallantly did the men of the Sixty Ninth maintain their proud 
distinction. 

I was separated a little distance from them, and somewhat to the 
right. I knew that I was too far in front, and was just in the act of 
shortening the intervening space, when my horse sank dead under 
me, and I rolled over on the earth, wounded and utterly unable to 
assist myself. 

At this juncture, also, the rebels, making a fierce general sortie 
along the whole lines, drove back our men with great slaughter, and 
of course I was immediately captured. 



A NEW PRISONER. 25 

Together with some six hundred other Union prisoners, I was 
marched that evening to Manassas, where we arrived about eight 
o'clock. The officers, myself included, were then ordered to fall in, 
when they were marched off to a wretched old apology of a building 
that was called a barn. 

Before coming hither, however, and previous to the classification 
according to rank, several persons having authority, or perhaps, for 
all I know, merely pretending to have authority from their govern- 
ment, passed in and out among the prisoners, searching their pockets, 
and taking from them whatever they pleased, without let or hindrance. 
Expostulations and entreaties were alike unavailing, and we unfortu- 
nates were obliged to put up with the humiliarfcing indignities thus 
offered us. The manner in which our captors executed this atro- 
cious proceeding was this. 

Stepping to a victim with the words : 

"Well, you d d Yankee scoundrel, what have you got?" the 

assailant would thrust his hands into the pockets Sf the luckless 
prisoner, and, drawing forth the contents, appropriate whatever was 
contraband. Purses, no matter how scantily filled, were decidedly 
contraband ; while watches, chains, handsome penknives, and so forth 
were confiscated according to the fancy or inclination of the searcher. 
Some of the soldiers carried money-belts ; but the precaution was a 
useless one, for the self-constituted rebel officials, with a dry laugh, 
and some such expression as : 

"Halloa, you old Yank! got the Yellow Jack here, eh?" would 
thrust tKeir digits familiarly, and not very gently, into the ribs of the 
sufferer, who, of course, was soon relieved of his treasure. ' 

Some time after we had been turned in for the night, one of the 
guard came into our quarters, and announced that he had a fresh 
arrival in the person of Congressman Ely, who, the following 
moment, stepped forward and groped his way among the scores of 
forms lying outstretched upon the floor, to a spot near me, where he 
threw himself down to pass the miserable night. 

What my feelings were during the long, dreary, dreary hours that 
dragged their slow length along till daylight, will never be known, 
for they baffle all effort at description, and can only be faintly con- 
ceived when left to even the most vivid imagination. 

In the morning upon trying to rise, I found that I could not do 
so, owing to my wounds and the fatigue and exposure to which. I had 
necessarily been subjected. At last, however, with a little assistance, 
and strong exertion on my own part, I could stand up and walk a 
little.. Shortly after ten o'clock, Major Prados, of Louisiana, came 



26 START FOR RICHMOND. 

to our quarters, and ordered us to prepare to marcli. This word 
"march," it may well be supposed, grated harshly enough upon my 
ear, as the rain, which had been coming down heavily during the 
night, was now pouring down in a perfect torrent, which, of course, 
would make the mud very deep. However, the order was inexorably 
to be obeyed, and so I determined to brave out whatever sufferings I 
might be compelled to endure while Nature enabled me to bear them. 
Without any protection at all from the weather, I, with the rest, 
tramped, or, more properly, waded to the railroad, where we were 
placed aboard a train that was waiting, so we were told, to carry us 
to Richmond, On account of various and unavoidable delays, we 
did not start until late in the afternoon, and, travelling all night, we 
reached Gordons ville between nine and ten o'clock the following 
morning. 

Here we were provided with refreshments by the Major in charge, 
to whom, for his considerate care and attention to us and our wants, 
we felt it to be our duty as well as pleasure to pass a vote of thanks. 
Leaving the cars was not for a moment permitted on any considera- 
tion ; and I well remember what a rage Major Prados fell into on 
learning that one of the guard had allowed a prisoner to step from 
the platform for a moment or so. So angry did he become, that he 
drew his revolver, and threatened to shoot the offending soldier whose 
humanity had got the better of his discipline. 

As the train rattled on toward Richmond, the question as to what 
sort of a reception we would get there when we arrived was raised ; 
and many were the difterent surmises and guesses upon the' subject. 
Several asserted most positively that they had heard from reliable 
sources that we would be torn to pieces by the mob, who were 
excited to the highest pitch of frenzy against the men and officers of 
the Union army. This opinion became the prevalent one among the 
prisoners ; and the matter was at last spoken of to Major Prados. 
This brave gentleman did not say that such would not be the case, 
but he did say, that he had with him a guard of one hundred and 
fifty men, and that he would, in case of an attack, defend us till the 
last man fell. 

Of course, the anxiety deepened on every face until the captives 
were safely landed at the station in Richmond, where all was quiet, 
and not a sign of a mob perceptible. Remaining in this building for 
about an hour or so, we were marched over a mile through the 
streets, which were fully lighted by the brightness of the moon. This 
took place before ten o'clock, about the most favorable time to raise 
a mob ; but we safely reached our prison, the old Tobacco Ware- 



WANTON BRUTALITY. 27 

house, since become so famous, and situated on Main Street. Our 
arrival in the city had not been expected so soon, and consequently 
there was some crowding and confusion, which tended not a little to 
increase the discontent of the prisoners. General Winder apologized 
to us for the necessity which obliged him to treat us thus, and 
informed us that he was, as rapidly as circumstances would permit, 
having new quarters prepared for the officers in a neighboring 
building. 

Around our prison were placed strong guards during the day, 
which were doubled during the night, thus preventing the least 
attempt at escape. So severely stringent were the orders on this 
point, that prisoners were not allowed even the small privilege of 
looking out at the windows. Several of my poor fellow- captives, 
thinking that the order would not be too rigorously enforced, had 
the temerity to glance out into the city. They paid dea'rly for their 
boldness — a ball from the musket of the guard instantly either killing 
or wounding them. One day, one of my companions could not 
resist his desire to take a peep out over the city, and obtain a breath 
of fresh air, and so, in spite of the danger, he made the attempt. In 
an instant, the sentinel below fired, not with the usual result, how- 
ever, for the ball, though passing through my friend's hair, did him 
no other damage, but buried itself in a joist of the ceiling of our 
room. Another half inch to the right, and the deadly missile would 
have gone through the boards of the ceiling, and perhaps killed some 
one of the prisoners lodged in the room over our own. This wanton 
and useless brutality excited my indignation so much, that, when 
General Winder next paid us a visit, I showed him the mark of the 
ball in the joist, and expostulated with him for allowing such an 
inhuman order — shooting defenceless prisoners — to be even thought 
of, let alone put into execution. He assured me that, if he could 
prevent it, such a thing should not occur again. 

From the commencement of our captivity, release had been the 
uppermost thought in all our minds ; and on the Wednesday succeed- 
ing our capture, Mr. Ely drew up a petition to President Lincoln, 
stating our condition and our place of incarceration, and asking that 
some measures might be taken looking toward our freedom. This 
document we all signed with pleasure, for we already began to feel 
the irksomeness of our imprisonment, and longed to return to our 
active duties. I assure you, dear reader, though dying for one's 
country is glorious when it is accompanied by features that strip it 
of its terror, yet languishing in the dungeons of your country's 
enemy, almost within hearing of the booming guns of the struggling 



28 CHANGE OUR PRISON. 

armies, is a most awful fate. There is the long, weary day, the slow 
passing of the hours, and the still slower and more dreary night- 
watches. Night after night have I lain absorbed in thought upon 
my miserable cot, and gazed listlessly up into the far-away sky, 
spangled with its thousands of beaming stars. These nocturnal 
reveries, or rather studies, used to give me much pleasure. And I 
have often prayed that, like that distant dome above, the azure field 
of our own Starry Standard would in the future be studded as thickly 
with stars, each representing some nation or people of the earth. 

Many distinguished persons of Southern birth and proclivities 
visited our quarters, and behaved, as a general rule, in the best 
manner toward those whom the fortunes of war had placed compara- 
tively in their power. Toward evening of the same day on which 
our petition to the President was drawn up, the officers and Mr. Ely 
were escorted to their new quarters in an adjoining building, which 
was also a tobacco factory. From our room, which ran the whole 
length of the first story, we had a partial view of the James River. 
This we thought a great privilege, although we did enjoy it at the 
risk sometimes of affording a target for the sentinels below, who 
guarded our prison. 

One of our first cares, when we found that a speedy release was 
not perhaps to fall to our lot, was to adopt some systematic method 
of passing away our time, as well with profit as amusement. Accord- 
ingly, after the suggestion and rejection of several plans, we concluded 
almost unanimously to form ourselves into an association having for 
its object the improvement and entertainment of its members. Our 
Constitution, Eules, and By-laws were regularly created, each 
member pledging himself to "stand by said Constitution and Laws." 

The name adopted was "The Richmond Prison Association," 
and the following ofiicers were appointed: President, Hon. Alfred 
Ely (who, it will be recollected, was captured while witnessing the 
battle of Bull's Run); Secretary, R. A. Goodenough; Treasurer, 
Michael Corcoran; and Assistant Treasurer, Charles "Waters. 

There was a long and side-splitting debate as to whether or no my 
arduous and oppressive duties as Treasurer would require the 
services of an assistant, which was finally settled, and recorded in 
the Minutes as follows : 

"On motion of Lieutenant Goodenough, it was Resolved, That, as 
' our worthy Treasurer, is not likely to leave this prison, unless a good 
chance ofiers, and as the fate of our commissary and quartermaster's 
supplies depends upon the come-at-ability of the funds entrusted to 
his charge, it is therefore deemed advisable to appoint to him an 



EXORBITANT POSTAGE. 29 

assistant, not only to render him all necessary aid in guarding and 
disbursing the funds in his charge, but also, in case he may decamp, 
to decamp with him, and see that said funds are not confiscated by 
the Confederate Government," 

^ Many and various were the expedients resorted to by the Associa- 
tion to kill time. We debated, sung, told stories, played cards, 
checkers, chess and dominoes, boxed, leaped, ran races, wrestled, and^ 
in short, were most successful in accomplishing our object. 

Congressman Ely was a member of the mess* in which my lot was 
cast ; and, as he often received newspapers, we used to amuse our- 
selves by reading over paragraphs in reference to ourselves. Some 
of these were extremely ridiculous. For instance, one day I saw in 
one what purported to be a telegraphic dispatch received in New 
York, to the effect that 

"Colonel Michajel Corcoran, of the Sixty Ninth New York Yolun- 
teers,^ has been placed in irons by General Winder for obstinately 
refusing to reply when his name had been called in the morning 
roll." ^ 

Not only was this entirely untrue, but there never was the slightest 
foundation for it. General Winder always did all in his power, as 
far as consistent with existing rules and orders, to make the prisoners 
under his charge as comfortable as possible. And the only thing 
that I ever felt to be really an unwarrantable hardship was the 
culpable neglect of postal arrangements in regard to prisoners. 
Letters that had been passed to Eichmond by flags of truce would lie 
in the city post-ofSce week after week, until I suppose the postmaster 
and his clerks became actually sick and tired of seeing them about, 
when they would be sent to our quarters. But even then we did not 
receive them till all postage was paid, which, according to their 
reckoning, sometimes amounted to a dollar and a half or two dollars 
on a single letter. 

One day Mr. Ely remarked to me, when I was complaining of the 
exorbitant letter rates : 

"Ah, my dear Colonel! we often even in this place hear of the 
gallant charges of your regiment at Bull's Eun ; but allow me to say 
that I think, if you had only had the Eichmond postmaster in your 
ranks, nothing could possibly have withstood the charges which 
would then have been made." 

Mr. Ely was a capital companion, being continually full of merri- 
ment, and overflowing with good humor. He, together with 

* The prisoners in Richmond were divided into little clubs or families, of six or 
eight, called messes, in the same manner as are crews of vessels. — Ed. 



50 PRISONERS SEARCHED. 

Lieutenant Isaac Hart, of Indiana, and one or two otliers, kept the 
rest of the prisoners nearly always in fine spirits. Lieutenant Hart 
being not only a beautiful singer, but also a capital poet, composed 
several first-rate songs, in which we all used to join, to the extent of 
our musical abilities. Sometimes we would make the room in which 
we were confined ring again with our swelling choruses. " Home, 
sweet home," was our favorite and most frequent song; and I have 
seen the tears coursing down the cheeks of every man in the apart- 
ment whenever it was sung. These touching moments were soon 
succeded by those in which martial airs awoke the sterner qualities 
of our hearts. Oh, how gloriously did we then used to ring out the 
soul-stirring national anthem, "The Star Spangled Banner"! The 
air would first be exquisitely rendered by some one of our best 
vocalists; and when the chorus, "Oh, long may it wave!" came in, 
every man of us joined in it with our whole souls. It was at such 
moments as these that my ardor rose to its greatest height. It was 
at these times that I wished to be once more at the head of the 
gallant old Sixty Ninth, with that dear standard floating over me. 
Oh, America ! could you in those moments only have looked within 
my breast, you would have seen my heart beating, with all its Irish 
fervor, for your welfare and success. 

Sometimes those Confederate officers under whose charge we were, 
used to wreak their malice upon us in ways which were as contempt- 
ible as they were galling. For instance, without the slightest 
previous information, we were one day ordered to fall into line for 
the purpose of being searched. Several rebel officers, fully armed, 
then entered the room, and placing themselves in front of us, took 
unusual care to display their weapons, and show us that they were 
ready for instant use. Their leader said that it was rumored that 
the prisoners confined in our building had formed a conspiracy to 
rise, massacre their guards, and endeavor to make their escape. He 
also stated that certain persons, who had several times visited our 
quarters on passes obtained from General Winder, had conveyed 
arms to us, and were, at the time appointed for the uprising, to 
co-operate with us outside. 

The search was then commenced, every prisoner being thoroughly 
examined. The result was the bringing to light of four damaged 
penknives, that would scarcely have sufficed to let out the life of 
even a desperate suicide. 

The indefatigable officers must certainly have felt rather cheap at 
having been so badly sold, if indeed the whole affair had not been 
deliberately planned by them to annoy and irritate us. Afterward, 




"The following moment a beaatiful young ^^dy rushed forward and , 
thrust him back, exclaiming: " Back scoundrel I Will you dare shed the | 
blood of a helpless, unarmed prisoner ? —bee page 4^ 



SENT TO CASTLE PINCKNEY. . 39 

wlien I heard of the presentation of a wooden sword and hempen 
sash, by our '^Association,^'' to the Hon, Mr. Ely, I laughingly 
remarked to a friend that my distinguished fellow-prisoner would 
have met with little mercy at the hands of the rebel government, had 
the terrible weapon been in his possession at the time of the search. 

The day following that on which this miserable farce was enacted, 
another excitement was raised among the captives by the announce- 
ment that a certain number of ofiicers and privates were to be 
removed from their present quarters to Castle Pinckney, in Charles- 
ton Harbor. There was an immediate murmur at such a harsh 
proceeding; for, during the short time we had been together as 
prisoners, attachments had been formed, and friendships awakened, 
whose rude disseverance thus would wring many of our hearts. We 
were helpless, however, and had to content ourselves with a thousand 
surmises as to which of us the lot would fall on. These were soon 
disposed of, for, about nine o'clock in the morning, an Orderly, 
carrying a roll, came in and informed us that the following named 
persons would prepare to leave for Castle Pinckney at one o'clock. 

The names were then called over, and mine was one of the first. 

"God's will be done!'' I murmured, within myself, as, with the 
rest of my companions, who were thus doomed to new trials and 
persecutions, I turned away to make ready a few little necessaries 
for my journey, and take leave of those who were to remain in 
Richmond. 

"While on my way to my future prison, I chanced to come across 
a part of a copy of a Richmond paper, which I have since ascer- 
tained was the Examiner. On this fragment was a paragraph which 
I would not give in this connection were it not for the purpose of 
showing to what vile and false means the leaders of the Rebellion 
stooped to stir up and embitter the minds of the Southern masses 
against the United States Government and its loyal supporters. It 
was as follows : 

Yankee Prisoners sent South. 
" One hundred and fifty-six Yankee prisoners, selected chiefly from 
among those members of the New York, Massachusetts, and Michigan 
regiments who have evinced the most insolent and insubordinate dis- 
position, were yesterday afternoon dispatched by railroad to Castle 
Pinckney, a small fortification in Charleston Harbor. The invigor- 
ating sea-breezes, it is thought, and the genial climate of 'Dixie's 
Land,' will have the effect not only of improving the health, but 
also the temper of the captive Bull Runners." 



40 ' PARTING SCENES. 

This is how the Southern heart has been "fired" by vile dema- 
gogues who have led the South very nearly to its ruin. 

From the moment that it was announced who were to go to the 
Castle, -an hour had not elapsed before all were ready to depart 
thither. During the necessary preparation, all hands were busy. 
Tokens of friendship and remembrance were given and exchanged 
by nearly every one ; and words of farewell were spoken, and hands 
shaken long before the real moment of leaving came. 

When, indeed, the guard did arrive, and we were ordered once 
more to "fall in," the scene reminded me more of the final parting of 
a fomily of loving brothers, than that of men who, a few weeks before, 
had, in the majority of instances, been perfect strangers to each 
other. After filing out into the street, we were halted until the rest 
of those in the adjoining building, destined to the same place as 
ourselves, could join us. During this delay, our companions -in the 
Warehouse crowded to the windows, undisturbed for once by the 
guards, and conversed with us. At last, however, all being ready, 
the officer under whose charge we were placed ordered us to march ; 
and, amid the shouted "Good-byes" and "God bless yous" of the 
friends we were leaving behind us, we took up our tramp toward our 
new prison. I must confess that about this time my heart was ready 
to sink beneath its load of sorrow. I was breathing the fresh, 
balmy air of- heaven, and I felt the genial beams of the bright sun; 
but my spirit was in chains. I had expected that before this I would 
have been exchanged, according to the usages of war, by the United 
States Government. Yet, instead of such a pleasure, I was now 
being forced by my foes further and further from my home. I was 
to go and be immured in the loathsome dungeon of an ocean-bound 
castle, and for no other offence than drawing my sword and baring 
my breast in defence of the best and mightiest Eepublic that earth 
has ever seen. 

Suddenly, in the midst of these gloomy reflections, I thought of 
my duty — thought of what the martyr heroes of 1776 had done and 
suffered. I thought of Dartmore and the British prison-ships, in 
which thousands of the fathers of the Republic had endured ten 
times what I had endured, or would be called to endure. Their lives 
had been most ignobly sacrificed by their oppressors upon America's 
altar; and should I now murmur at my comparatively insignificant 
wrongs and trials? No! never! Nevermore should a complaint 
pass my lips. If the good of my adopted country demanded that I 
should languish in fetters, welcome the heaviest fetters that could be 
forged. If the welfare of the United States demanded that I should 



AN ADVENTURE. 41 

die on the gallows, welcome, thrice welcome the scaffold. Such were 
the feelings that in a' moment sprang to life within me, and nerved 
me to bear up under my future hardships. 

Between Eichmond, Va., and Gaston, a small town in the State of 
North Carolina, no incident occurred worthy of record. But at the 
latter place occurred a scene which I cannot pass without recording. 
The train on which we were, reached here one afternoon while a 
meeting was being held. Considering the size of the town, there was 
a large concourse of people, mostly men, but with the usual sprink- 
ling of the fair sex. The raised platform, that had been originally 
erected for the use of passengers leaving the cars at that station, on 
the present occasion served the stump orators as a rostrum from 
which to hurl their bitter imprecations and anathemas against the 
Union. 

The engineer slacked his speed very much when within sio-ht of 
the station, as a precautionary measure, and at this slow rate we were 
passing the stand, when suddenly, with a dull crash, down went the 
car in which I was seated. An axle of the forward truck had 
snapped, and thus the disaster. In a moment, there was much con- 
fusion, every one shouting and yelling forth advice and orders; and 
*no one, save the military escort with us prisoners, having sufficient 
presence of mind to obey a command. With as little delay as pos- 
sible, we were marched out of the wrecked car, and halted along the 
roadside in douhle file, nearly opposite the speaker's stand. The 
orator of the occasion, when quiet was somewhat restored, and while 
the railroad hands were getting the track clear, thought it was a 
fitting opportunity to show himself off, and "air his eloquence." 

So, with a grandiloquent flourish of his arm, he pointed the 
attention of his fellow-secessionists to the poor, blindfolded tools' 
[ourselves) of the Lincoln tyranny. There we stood, he said, like so 
many gallows-birds, ready to be strung up. This complimentary 
simile drew rounds of applause from his fiery hearers. Finding him- 
self so successful, the silly gabbler next had the audacity to address 
himself to us. 

''Are you not ashamed of yourselves?" said he, with an attempt to 
look terrible, the effect of which was to set ns laughing. This 
irritated the blatant booby, and he abused us in the most scandalous 
and unmanly manner. "Go I" he continued, fiercely, "and hide your 
diminished, infernal heads, you Yankee scum of the earth!" 

I began to think, at this juncture, that he was intoxicated, and I 
consequently turned my head away, and began watching the laborers 
engaged in removing the broken car from the railroad track. I had 



42 A SLEEPLESS NIGHT. 

scarcely done so, however, before I heard him call out my own name. 
I starrted, and looked over at him in time to see him shaking his 
finger toward me, and to hear him exclaim, in taunting, angry tones : 

"And you. Colonel Corcoran, ought to be ashamed of yourself. 
You were one of the first to volunteer with your hireling soldiers, to 
come and invade, with fire and sword, the peaceful homes of the 
South. But where is your boasted Sixty Ninth now?" 

This was more thad my Irish disposition could stand, and, with 
flashing eyes, I replied : 

"Silence! drivelling coward! and cease your lying! As to the 
whereabouts of the Sixty Ninth, you'll know that sooner, perhaps, 
than you expect. You'll see the Sixty Ninth very likely before long, 
with standards waving victoriously in this very place," 

This retort was made on the spur of the moment, and before any 
one could prevent it. For an instant afterward, all was still ; and 
then a murderous-looking ruflian stepped in front of me, and, placing 
his hand half tragically upon the haft of a knife that was stuck in 
his belt, he said : 

"The whole North put together couldn't do that!" 

I know not what would have been the result of this piece of 
effrontery, had nothing occurred to distract my thoughts. How- 
ever, as the cowardly villain ' clutched his knife, a half-suppressed 
shriek was uttered by a beautiful young lady, who, the succeeding 
moment, rushed forward, and, placing herself between me, and, as 
she supposed, my intended murderer, thrust him back, exclaiming : 

"Back, scoundrel! will you dare shed the blood of a helpless, 
unarmed prisoner ?" 

" I always told the neighbors you was a d d Unionist !" 

growled the make-believe assassin, again stepping forward, "and I'll 
fix your flint yet for you, mind I tell you P 

The guard at this moment, doubtless fearing any further discus- 
sion or demonstration, acted with promptness and resolution. The 
S|Deaker, who had commenced the wrangle^ was forced to stop his 
speech, while the crowd was driven back at the point of the bayonet 
to a respectable distance. But they continued hooting and jeering 
at us until the track being cleared, and all ready^ we resumed our 
journey toAvard Charleston, and soon left the miserable, inhospitable 
town far behind us. 

During the night, which we were forced to pass in the cars, catch- 
ing such intermittent sleep as the rumbling, jolting motion permitted, 
a heavy rain came 'up. "We were so crowded that we would certainly 
have suffocated if the windows had been shut down, and we were 



THE POWER OF TREACHERY. 43 

therefore obliged to receive a drenching in place of a smothering. 
As fortune had it, also, I was on the side against which the storm 
beat, and only a short time elapsed before I was thoroughly soaked 
through. To add to my discomfort, a chilly air began to blow, that 
made my teeth chatter, and, altogether, I felt very miserable. I 
slept no more that night. 

The next morning broke clear and balmy; and the bright sun, 
peeping over a neighboring ridge of land, had quite an exhilarating 
effect upon me. • Foitseveral miles I amused myself, when not gazing 
out over the^ surrounding country, by watching the fantastic shapes 
taken by the vapor or steam that arose from my body. Soon after, 
■the welcome intelligence fell upon my ear that we wete to stop for a 
half an hour for the purpose of refreshing ourselves, 

"When we did so, I requested of the ofl&cer commanding the guard, 
the privilege of walking about a little, which he readily granted, not 
even so much *ai3 placing a soldier in charge of me. This great 
courtesy I noticed particularly, and, upon returning to the car, I 
thanked him for his delicate sensibility. • 

"Colonel," he replied, with a bow, "when I have intercourse with 
an honorable man, my own honor and feelings teach me how to bear 
myself toward him, most especially when he occupies the position 
which you do at present." 

Though, of course, my enemy, I have remembered, and shall ever 
remember, this courteous soldier for his noble, generous behavior 
toward the captives under his charge. 

We were soon under way again,, and in due time reached Waynes- 
town, where is the junction, or intersection, of the Ealeigh and 
Beaufort, and Richmond and AYilmington railroads. Here we Avere 
detained a whole night and part of the succeeding day. The reason 
of the delay was, that, in anticipation of certain threatening move- 
ments of the United States Government, a large body of rebel troops 
was being thrown rapidly forward in the direction of Beaufort, S. C. 
And here let me say that it is my firm belief that, had any other 
government on the face of the earth been subjected to the insidious 
power of treachery as has that of the United States ever since the 
Rebellion broke out, it would not have survived ninety days. There 
was scarcely a single move, even of minor importance, entered upon 
by the Federal power, that was not known in the South, even to 
prisoners, long before it was put in execution. And this is the reason 
why the Union forces have, on nearly every occasion of their taking 
the field at any one point, been instantly overwhelmed by numbers. 
The shortest way to crush out the horrid civil war that is wasting 



44 STONES THROWN AT US. 

our land is to adopt tlie advice given by Arclibisliop Huglies — Lei 
the whole loyal portion of the country rise en masse, and move forward 
in one solid phalanx. Then there would be no necessity for secrecy. 
Treachery would be disarmed of its power, and the vile monsters 
who have originated the Eebellion buried beneath the Union flood, 
like the hosts of Pharoah were swallowed up in the Red Sea. 

On sped our rattling train, now dashing, with a hoarse shriek, 
through a tunnel, or screaming across a covered bridge, and now 
bounding out into the open country beyond, j^on.we went puffing 
and climbing our way up some steep hill-side, and then flying along 
some level plain. 

All along the route, the inhabitants of the towns and villages used 
to flock to the roadside to see the "Yankee prisoners." Their behavior 
was varied. Sometimes they would stand and look in at the car- 
windows quietly, and wath pity and sorrow marked upon their 
countenances. And sometimes our treatment was of the most violent 
and scandalous character. Groans and hisses were plentifully 
showered upon, us; while, in one or two instances, stones were 
thrown. None of these latter missiles, however, did any harm ; and, 
as to the former manifestations of cowardice and ill-breeding, we 
paid but little attention to them. 

Once, indeed, while we were awaiting a change of engines at 
Wilmington, on the Cape Fear River, it was as much as flesh and 
blood could do to receive quietly the abuse and insults which were 
heaped upon us by the rabble. Young girls and boys, prompted by 
older persons, would thrust little secession flags and badges in our 
faces, and exclaim: 

"What do you think of them colors, Mr. Yankee? Them's the 
colors that the Yankees can't make run." 

And individuals, who, from the pains they took to conceal them- 
selves in the crowd from our gaze, were the most contemptible 
poltroons, would shout out, in sneering, taunting tones : 

"I'd like to broil a Yankee! How about 'On to Richmond?' 
What do you think of Bull's Run now?" and other vile excla- 
, mations. 

Since then, and when I learned of the draft ordered by Jeff Davis, 
I almost prayed that all such cowardly scoundrels would be taken to 
fight in the cause they had been so ready to serve with their lips. 
Had the bad cause of the Rebellion never had any braver supporters 
than the miserable cowards who insulted and abused Union prisoners 
while in the South, it would have fallen to earth long ago. A man 
who would abuse a captive would certainly never take one. 



WE REACH CHARLESTON. 45 

From Wilmington to the end of our destination, we pursued our 
journey almost entirely uninterrupted by the troops and munitions 
of war that had hitherto hindered us. My heart constantly yearned 
for home; and the greater that the distance from the latter became, 
the stronger grew the tie that still held me to it. This train of 
thought gave birth to a fantastic idea in my mind, which took so 
firm a hold upon me that I shall never forget it. 

I imagined my heart to be filled with an inexhaustible coil or roll 
of telegraph wire, and that one end of this wire was fastened at 
home in the North. And, as my captors carried me mile after mile, 
and league after league, toward my future prison, the coil or roll 
seemed to unwind. This strange impression was very vivid ; in fact, 
so exceedingly vivid, that, when at last I was released, and making 
my way home, it appeared as though the long stretched wire was 
gradually being wound up, back again into my heart. 

We soon reached Charleston, that fountain city of secession. We 
got in during the afternoon, and I must acknowledge that I was 
much surprised, and equally pleased with the reception we received. 
From the time I had been captured up to the moment I set foot in 
Charleston, there was no place where I had been so well, or, 
rather, considerately treated as in that city. 

Upon our arrival we were marched to a large building on one of 
the principal streets, which had lately been used as a- barracks for 
volunteer soldiers. Here we remained until daylight the next 
morning, when we "were aroused, and commanded to prepare our- 
selves to set out at once for Castle Pinckney in the harbor. The 
time allowed us was extremely short; and, when ordered into line, 
several of my companions had to run with their eyes only half 
opened, and portions of their scanty wardrobe tucked under their 
arms. 

In due time, we reached the wharf, or pier, where a steamboat was 
waiting to convey us out over the harbor to our final. prison-house. 
It did not take long to arrange ourselves in a satisfactory manner to 
our captors aboard the pufiing boat; and, when everything was 
announced "J./Z right T the steamer moved from her moorings. 

The ride across the water would have been pleasant, had it not 
happened that a fine, disagreeable rain, which had been falling since 
midnight, rendered all uncomfortable. However, we took it all in 
good heart, cracking many a joke on our " excursion," " pleasure 
trip," "visit of inspection," &c., as we piquantly termed our present 
passage. 

At last, the heavy walls of the fortification came fully in view, 



46 WANT OF PROPER CLOTHING. 

and I began to make the best of the remaining moments in gazing 
round about me, as I did not expect to get a glimpse of the outside 
world for some time after I was once immured in the Castle. 

The steamer shortly ran into the dock, the cables were cast ovgr 
the pier posts, steam was shut off, and our journey was at an end. 

The gang-plank was immediately put down, and then, two abreast, 
we were filed into the fort. Here we were, as speedily as possible, 
organized into squads, or messes. Each mess was assigned its par- 
ticular quarters, and thus commenced our prison life in Castle 
Pinckney. 

It seems strange to me, as I write, how rapidly I can now fly with 
my pen, and on paper, over events which then appeared to consume 
an age in transpiring. . 

Our Castle residence, of course, was far duller, or, perhaps, with 
greater justice, more secluded than our Eichmond prison. But, of 
the two, it was a hundred times more preferable. Here no idle 
visitors and curious persons were allowed to enter ; while the Tobacco 
Warehouse in Eichmond had been almost constantly thronged by 
gaping intruders, whose curiosity to look at the Yankee prisoners 
had overruled their manners. This was most offensive to the cap- 
tives, and contrasted strongly with the unobtrusive courteousness of 
the Charlestonians, which we more particularly appreciated as it had 
been entirely unexpected. 

It will be remembered that, at the time of our capture, the weather 
being excessively hot, we were dressed in the lightest clothes pos- 
sible, and consequently, when the cool nights began to come, we felt 
heavily our want of proper dress. This, of course, would not have 
been the case had there been no hindrance to our purchasing or 
receiving supplies. But the difficulties in the way of the accom- 
j^lishment of this object, sometimes created by our captors, and some- 
times unavoidable, were so numerous and so great that we found it 
almost impossible to furnish ourselves with even the poorest outfit. 

I well remember the congratulations we gave to Mr. Ely when he 
became so well off as to raise a rough cot bedstead and a few yards 
of common muslin. And when he was lucky enough to obtain a 
pair of nice white blankets, with a bright red border, we thought his 
extravagance was passing all bounds, and threatened to expel him, 
as an aristocrat, from the "■Prison Association^ Upon mature con- 
sideration, however, it was decided that, as a mild punishment for 
being so wealthy, Mr. Ely should be obliged to " keep the said cot 
bedstead, and the said few yards of muslin, and the said two white 
blankets in apple-pie order." This was the resolution as it stood ou 



THEEATENED ATTACK ON CHARLESTON. 47 

the minutes of the ''Association;" and Mr. Ely submitted to the 
decision in a neat speech. 

I missed these mirth -inspiring proceedings of the "Richmond 
Prison Association," which were generally set on foot by Mr. Ely, 
■who, as I have before mentioned, was the life and soul of the cap- 
tives. And I would be doing my distinguished friend and fellow- 
prisoner a very great injustice were I to omit, in this connection, to 
make mention of his mas^nanimous offer when we were all sufierinar 
from a lack of clothing. He proposed to advance five thousand 
dollars, or, if necessary, more, to help us out of our difficulty. He 
is a noble man, and has a heart as large as himself. We could not 
consent, however, situated so peculiarly as we then were in relation 
to the Government, to accept Mr. Ely's proffered aid, though we just 
as fully appreciated his kindness of soul as if we had done so. 

In the quiet of my ocean-bound prison, my thoughts often wan- 
dered back to Richmond, and from thence home ; and many a 
wakeful hour have I passed meditating upon the events of the few 
previous months of my life. Without any extraordinary interrup- 
tion, the time slipped away until October w^as nearly gone. About 
that time, some little news began to stir, even in our isolated abiding 
place. As early as that date, it began to be whispered that the great 
naval expedition, then fitting out at the North, was about to set forth 
on its mission. There were not a few who fully believed that the 
first point chosen for an attack would be the fortifications in Charles- 
ton Harbor. Accordingly, the forces stationed in the latter were 
greatly augmented, the discipline became more strict, and the rules 
more severely stringent. So carefully and determinedly were all the 
preparations made for defence, that I really began to think that Fort 
Sumpter and its neighboring supports would be shelled at an early 
day. In consequence, my ear was continually strained to catch the 
first sullen roar of the guns, but, as the reader must be aware, with- 
out success. 

To show how fully credited was the rumor that the monster fleet 
was intended to reduce Charleston, I insert a paragraph that I subse- 
quently saw in the New York Herald, of November 29, 1861. I give 
it in full, word for word. 

Rebel Plans for the Defence of Charleston. 
"Among the documents found in Fort Walker was a long order, 
dated October 12, from General De Saussure, providing' for the 
defence of Charleston in case of an attack. We copy from the main 
plan of defence as follows : 



48 REBEL ORDERS FOUND AT FORT WALKER. 

'"1. In case of an alarm, requiring the prompt assembling of all 
the troops in the city of Charleston, the signal for each assembling 
will be fifteen strokes upon all the fire-bells; an interval of one 
minute, and the fifteen strokes will be repeated. The strokes will be 
repeated five times. 

" ' 2. Upon the sounding of such a signal, the troops in the city 
will immediately assemble, under arms, and in marching order, at 
the respective regimental muster-grounds, and, being formed in line, 
will await further orders. 

'"S. The regiment of the Keserves will assemble on the street 
immediately, in front of the Citadel, the color company resting on 
the gate of the Citadel, and will be retained in the city for its imme- 
diate defence, unless otherwise specially ordered. 

" '4. The officers commanding the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Kegi- 
ments of infantry, First Eegiment of rifles, and First Eegiment of 
artillery, will have their transportation wagons turned out, and loaded 
with the regimental tents and stores, and will proceed to press horses 
and mules, as may be required for the transportation. 

" '5. Upon an alarm being communicated to the country, the officers 
commanding companies will immediately extend the same in the 
mode pointed out in section CXLI. A. A. 1841. 

'"6. The alarm being communicated, the several companies com- 
posing the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Eegiments of infantry will 
promptly assemble at their respective muster-grounds.' 

[The order here gives minute directions as to the movements and 
positions of troops, orders certain bridges, in an emergency, to be 
destroyed, and adds]: — 

" ' The commanding officers of the Eighteenth and Nineteenth 
Eegiments will promptly issue orders for the draft, pointed out in 
section CXLVI. A. A. 1841, and will order the persons so drafted 
to be warned for duty; and the persons so warned will promptly 
assemble at the respective muster-grounds, armed and equipped for 
duty. All persons so drafted and warned, who shall neglect or 
refuse to assemble and march with their respective commands, will 
be reported to these headquarters, to be dealt with according to law.' " 

The manner in which I became possessed of this Herald was this : 
A lady, whose husband held a commission in the rebel army, and 
who had, in a recent skirmish, taken it from the body of a Union 
soldier, whom he killed in single combat, while the latter was en- 
deavoring to make him ^ prisoner, had sent it to her as a curiosity. 
She, after reading it, presented it to the Bishop of Charleston, who 



SEVENTY-FIVE DOLLARS FEOM RICHMOND. 49 

happened to be paying her a visit at the time, and he, in turn, when 
next he came to see me, gave it to me. 

This, and several other papers, together with quite a collection of 
little presents which were made me, I kept by me until after my 
arrival in the North, where, however, I have parted with every one of 
them, giving them to friends, who desired some memento from me 
of my imprisonment. I even have the vanity to believe that, were 
Mrs. Corcoran to depart this life, which I hope, however, she will not 
do for many a year to come, I should not find much difficulty in dis- 
posing of my own valuable self to some one of my lady friends as a 
memento. 

The most pleasurable moments of my captivity were those when 
I received a letter from friends at home. They were, however, like 
angels' visits, few and far between. One day I received a letter from 
a relation in Richmond, enclosing seventy -five dollars. This great 
kindness came in very good time, for, besides procuring a coat and 
one or two other necessary articles, it enabled me to alleviate the 
sufferings of several of my fellow-captives, whose fortune had not 
been so good as my own. The greatest delight of my captivity 
from the time I was first taken, up to the day I was released, was 
to be continually doing what I could to inspirit or aid those who 
were bound with me. There was not a single man amongst th'em, 
even to the poorest private, that I would not have shared my last 
crust and my last cup of water with. A few days after I had -been 
placed, together with my companions in misfortune, in Castle Pinck- 
ney, I learned that Lieutenant W. B. Brockett, the courteous officer 
who guarded us all the distance from Richmond to Charleston, had 
met with sudden death in the following manner : 

One of his men, belonging to the Madison, Louisiana Infantry, 
had returned, one evening, soon after having been granted a furlough 
by his commander, in a beastly state of intoxication. He was con- 
sequently ordered into the guard-house as a punishment. Being a 
very athletic and powerful, as well as a very quarrelsome fellow, 
some considerable force was necessary for the purpose, and a scuffle 
ensued between him and the guard. Lieutenant Brockett, thinking 
highly of him — for it was only when drunk that he behaved himself 
so unruly — and seeing that the guard were handling him somewhat 
roughly, stepped forward, and, laying his hand upon him, attempted 
to pacify him into submission. But the enraged man, with a fierce 
oath, drove him back, and kicked him, as he was staggering, directly 
in the breast. The unfortunate officer instantly fell to the ground 



50 DEATH OF LIEUTENANT BROCIOITT. 

insensible, and, from that moment to his death, which occurred a day 
or so afterward, he never regained his consciousness. 

As Lieutenant Brockett fell, one of the guard, who loved and 
.respected him deeply, raised his musket, and laid his assailant low 
with a single blow of the heavy stock. Not a single regret was 
expressed for the fate of the soldier ; but, on the contrary, the one 
who executed such summary punishment upon him was promoted, 
soon after, for the act. 

No one will think the less of me when I say that I shed bitter 

tears over the melancholy and unworthy end of Lieutenant Brockett, 

and that I remembered him when at night I bowed before that God 

I who was my only support during the tedious months of my dreary 

captivity. 

From the middle of September, the question of the hanging of 
the rebel pirates, and the effect of such a proceeding upon the South, 
or rather upon us prisoners, had been agitating the country both 
North and South. The Confederate government threatened that 
v/hatever treatment or fate was bestowed upon the miserable villains 
who, under the seeming guise of legalized warfare, had committed 
the most atrocious offences against the law of nations, should be 
rigidly meted out to the Union prisoners in their hands. In their 
bitterness and malice, they went a step beyond even what the law of 
retaliation allowed. Instead of casting lots among the whole number 
of both officers and privates indiscriminately, they selected only the 
officers, and those, too, of the highest grade they could get. The fear 
of death was nothing; but to be brought down to the level of a 
skulking, cowardly pirate was a degradation that my soul revolted 
at. From the day on which it was my misfortune to fall into the 
hands of my implacable foes, I had always been the object of their 
particular hatred and spleen, and of course I felt confident when the 
question of retaliation was settled, that I would be one of the first 
victims. This I had made my mind up to before I received any 
intimation of the lots which were drawn by Mr. Ely in the old Eich- 
mond prison, on the 10th of November. 

The official order, in consequence of which the lots were drawn, 
was dated immediately after the reception of the news of the con- 
demnation of the pirate. Smith, in Philadelphia. It was as follows : 

C. S. ^. War Department, 
■Sir: Bichmond, Nov. 9, 1861. 

You are hereby instructed to choose by lot from among the 
prisoners of war, of the highest rank, one who is to be confined in a 



THE LOTS CAST. 51 

cell appropriated to convicted felons, and who is to be treated in all 
respects as is such convict, and to be held for execution in the same 
manner as may be adopted by the enemy for the execution of the 
prisoner of war, Smith, recently condemned to death in Philadelphia. 

You will also select thirteen other prisoners of wtjx, the highest in 
rank of .those captured by our forces, to be confined in tlie cells 
reserved for prisoners accused of infamous crimes, and will treat* 
them as such so long as the enemy shall continue so to treat the like 
number of prisoners of war captured by them at sea, and now held 
for trial in New York as pirates. 

As these measures are intended to repress the infamous attempt 
now made by the enemy to commit judicial murder on prisoners of 
war, you will execute them strictly, as the mode best calculated to 
prevent the commission of so heinous a' crime. 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed) J. P. Benjamin, 

Acting Secretary of War. 

To Brigadier-GeneraJ John H. Winder. 

In obedience to this mandate from the rebel Secretary — who, by 
the way, is, and always was, one of those disgraces to mankind with 
which the world is anything but blessed — General Winder proceeded 
to select, in the manner ordered, those who were to be thus doomed. 

.After reading the order to the prisoners, who were drawn up in 
line, he produced six slips of writing-paper, each one of which bore 
the name of a colonel of the Federal army, five besides my own. 
These he then handed to Colonel Lee, of Massachusetts, with the 
request that he would inspect them carefully, and see that each name 
was there. General Winder then took the slips, and, after announcing 
the name on each one, placed then^ all in a regular drawing-box. 
This was closed tightly, and well shaken up. It was then opened, 
and General Winder called upon Mr. Ely, as the most appropriate 
person, to draw forth one of the slips. Mr Ely thus called upon to 
decide which of the six lives in the box should be sacrificed, strenu- 
ously objected to make himself thus even the innocent cause of the 
condemnation of one of his companions. But upon being urged to 
comply with the wish of General Winder by the prisoners, he 
consented. 

Mr. Ely then, with a hand trembling from emotion, drew forth 
one of the six slips. Gazing upon the fatal paper, he read : 

"Colonel Michael Corcoran!'''' 
and with a heavy sigh, he handed the slip back to General Winder. 



52 



m:y doom. 



Mr. Ely and myself had, during our imprisonment in tlie Tobacco 
■Warehouse in Eichmond, become very strongly attached to each 
other, and I have not the slightest doubt that, when he drew my 
name, he felt far worse than I did, upon the occasion of my fate 
being made known to me, a day or two later. His painful task was 
not yet finishfd, however, for he had yet to draw the names of 
thirteen other prisoners, who should stand as hostages for the pirates 
captured by the United States Navy, on the Savannah. 

Among the names of the captives thus drawn, was that of Captain 
McQuade, of Ohio. Upon its being called off. Captain Cox, also of 
Ohio, stepped forward, and with a noble devotion offered himself in 
McQuade's stead. But this it was impossible to allow, and McQuade 
had to submit to his fate. Poor fellow ! he died soon afterward of 
the wounds he had received in battle. The list of hostages thus 
determined by General Winder was as follows : 

Colonel Michael Corcoran, - - For Smith in Philadelphia. 
A. M. Wood, 
0. B. Wilcox, 
" M. Coggswell, 
W- E. Woodruff, 
W. R. Lee, 
Lieut. -Col. G. W. Neff, 
" S. Bowman, 
Major P. J. Revere, 
J. D. Potter, 
" L. Vodges, 
Captain H. Bowman, 
r. J. Keffer, 
" G. W. Rockwood 

After my arrival at Castle Pinckney, and upon overhauling my 
trunks, I found that nearly three-fourths of the contents had been 
abstracted. This I charitably set down to the strong desire of my 
Southern /nenc?s to possess something of mine by which to remem- 
ber me. In their selections, too, I may add, that they displayed 
remarkably good sense, invariably taking the best of the pile. Some 
of these perhaps they may return to me upon finding out that "I 
still live." 

As I have before said, the happiest moments of my stay in Castle 
Pinckney were those when I received letters from home. And each 
one was, after being read and re-read over and over again, placed 
away by me for preservation. I gloated over them like a miser over 



For the pirates of the Savannah. 



'-^^'^ '^^^v^^^^^^:^^ 




THE SUBJECT OF MY PAROLE. 61 

his gold; and my dearest friend could never induce me to part witli 
them. 

TJie subject of my parole was often broached to me by the officjcrs 

of the Confederate government; but, with all their arguments, 

promises, and persuasions, they never once caused me to swerve from 

my determination of remaining a prisoner until regularly exchanged 

. by the authorities at "Washington. 

I recall, at this moment, the last conversation I had on this topic, 
just previous to the arrival of the order from Eichmond, by which I 
was made a hostage for the safety of the rebel pirate. Smith. A 
friend of General Ripley called upon me, apparently by chance, 
being on a visit to rny place of confinement at the time, and, after 
conversing on general matters, he said: 

"Colonel, how is it that you have never asked nor accepted a 
parole for yourself?" 

"Because," replied I, "I believe that honor and patriotism alike 
forbid my doing so." 

"Yes," was the answer, "'but all the rest of your companions 
gladly avail themselves of the opportunity when it is presented to 
them. They see no disgrace in it, and, candidly speaking, I cannot 
say that I think your objection a valid one." 

"With all due respect to 3'our opinion, Colonel," said I, quietly, 
"it is my belief that the acceptance of a parole by a prisoner of war 
is altogether wrong. When I started from New York for the seat 
of war, I did so with the intention of doing your bad cause all the 
harm I could ; and nothing would have given me greater pleasure 
than to have planted the Stars and Stripes over this very castle. As 
fortune had it, however, after doing a little, I fell into your hands. 
Then I was called upon to suffer for my cause. Previously- 1 had 
been called upon to act, to fight. And, if it would be honorable for 
me to escape the suffering by any means, I am sure it would be 
equally so for me to have avoided the figliting. Besides, here I have 
an opportunity of doing at least a little good to those about me, 
whom the fortunes of war have placed in even a worse predicament 
than myself." 

The conversation was persistently kept up by my visitor with the 
ultimate object of. inducing me to accept a parole, but without suc- 
cess ; and bo left with tfie impression, no doubt, that I was a very 
obstinate, or a very foolish prisoner. 

After reaching Castle Pinckney, I had determined to keep a diary 
of passing events, and for this purpose purchased, through the aid 
of a gentleman who came to visit me, a few quires of writing-paper. 
3 



62 THE MICE DESTROY MY DIARY. 

On several occasions, however, tlie mice, doubtless wishing, perhaps, 
not to read, but certainly to " inwardly digest" the thoughts I had 
committed to paper, chewed my unfortunate diary all into minute 
fragments. A few sheets remained intact, save a little nibbling, and 
these, having been preserved, I herewith give their contents: 

October 13. — This morning,, poor John Owens, who has so nobly 
served me since my capture, rose with a terrible headache, complain- 
ing, also, of acute pains in the back and limbs. Becoming much 
worse, the surgeon of the Fort was called at my request, and pro- 
nounced the symptoms to be those of fever. Powerful remedies 
were immediately administered, and they have happily already made 
a change for the better. 

Our dinner to-day was improved by the addition of a large glass 
of jelly, the gift of a kind-hearted lady of Charleston. 

Shortly after two o'clock, we were much cheered by a visit from 
Bishop Lynch, who never leaves us with a shadow on our counte- 
nances. He is a dear man, and truly and zealously devotes himself 
to his high and holy calling. Oh, how often has his benignant smile 
and kind word driven the gloom and despondency from the hearts 
of the captives immured within these frowning walls! Nor has the 
Bishop confined himself to the mere consolation of words, for his 
purse has always been open to administer to the necessities of the 
prisoners. 

One of the latter one day wrote a letter to his wife ; but, when he 
came to send it, he found that, with all his money, he lacked nearly 
half the amount necessary for the exorbitant postage. He was in 
despair, as he could not obtain the required change. My last cent 
had been expended several days before. In the mean time, Bishop 
Lynch came in, and, on the fact being mentioned to him, he instantly 
requested the soldier to give him the letter, and he would see that it 
was sent. Overjoyed, the poor fellow offered the Bishop what money 
he had. But the noble-hearted Bishop insisted upon his retaining 
the latter, as he would need it for something else. The tears imme- 
diately came into the man's eyes, and, reverently taking the hand of 
his benefactor, he exclaimed, in grateful tones : 

"Oh, your Reverence! how little did I expect that one so high 
and holy as you, could condescend to one so lowly as me ! God bless 
you ! God bless you !" 

October 14. — John Owens is much improved to-day, so much so 
that the surgeon of the post expresses the belief that there need be 
no further fear of fever. I am thankful for this, and my mind is 
relieved of a weighty load of anxiety. It would have been a heavy 



LETTERS FOR THE PRISONERS. 63 

blow to me to have lost my devoted friend. I hope it may, at no 
distant day, be in my power to make liim some substantial mark of 
my consideration and gratitude."* 

About ten o'clock this morning, the welcome announcement of 
"Letters for the prisoners!" set each of our hearts to beating with the 
liveliest expectation and hope. Every pair of eyes were riveted upon 
the bundle which the officer carried who attended to the distribution; 
and it would have formed a scene for the pencil of a Hogarth. Joy 
and anxiety flitted by turns over the countenances of the impatient 
group as each name was called over; and, as the pile began to 
diminish in bulk, several faces showed unmistakable traces of 
disappointment. 

I am sure that mine was among the latter class, for I beheld the 
large bundle given out one after another until there were only two 
letters left. I began to feel disappointed, and was about to turn 
away with an3^thing but a light heart, when the post officer called out : 

"Colonel ^[ichael Corcoran !" 

A step and a stride, and I had clutched the precious missive. My 
long-put-off pleasure was, however,* rendered still greater when the 
officer added : 

" And this other one, also, is for you, Colonel." 

Taking the last one, I pressed it to my lips, for, in the quick 
glance that I cast upon its direction, I recognized it as being from 
my dear wife. 

I cannot compare my happiness at this moment to anything save 
that which I suppose would be awakened in the breast of an 
extremely poor man, who, after receiving a large and unexpected 
inheritance, should immediately be made the possessor of another 
one ten times as valuable. 

Upon opening my two letters, I was much gratified to find that 
their contents were precious in two ways — in plain English, that both 
of them contained money. The whole amount was fifty-five dollarsj; 
and the first thought that entered my mind was how far such a sum 
would go toward furnishing my fellow-prisoners with such little 
necessary articles of clothing as the approaching cold weather would 
imperatively demand. 

October 15. — During last night, a cold rain storm blew up, and is 
continuing to-day with unabated violence. It is very chilly and 
disagreeable, and I fear will have an ill effect upon the health of the 

• The gallant General has since presented John Owens, who (beside the brave 
and devoted Lieutenant E. Connolley and Colonel Corcoran) was the only member 
of the Sixty Ninth in Castle Pinckney, with a magnificent gold watch and chain. 



'64 • OUR LAST CUP OF COFFEE. 

prisoners. The water, also, is so rough that there has been no con- 
nection with the city. Had it not been for the arrival of our letters 
yesterday, we should have had a dull time of it to-day. John Owens 
continues to improve rapidly, and • is determined to resume his 
attendance upon me to-morrow, at reveille. Since becoming a 
soldier, John does everything with military precision. At the first 
roll of the morning drum to morrow, he will be up and enter -upon 
his duties. He is in continual good humor, and makes a most 
pleasant companion for Lieutenants Connolley and Dempsey and 
myself, we being in one mess. He makes us laugh heartily some- 
times at his jokes and witticisms, and we should miss him greatly 
were we deprived of him. 

Lieutenant Connolley and I passed away several hours, this after- 
noon, in a game or two of chess. He chose the black men, calling 
them the rebels; while I played the white, which of course repre- 
sented the Unionists. The result was, as the farmer said, " about 
which and t'other," although I think my opponent had the better of 
me. At least, after we were done, he and I came to the conclusion 
that, if the chess-men had been Secessionists and Unionists, we would 
rather have had the black represent the latter than the former. 

Toward evening, the storm fell considerably ; and, as the wind has 
changed round to a fair quarter, I expect we shall have a clear 
morning. Having a slight headache, I shall retire soon to-night. 

October 16^ — As I thought last evening, this morning came in 
beautifully clear, but colder than usual, from the effects, doubtless, 
of the rain yesterday. John Owens, according to his resolve, entered 
upon his duties at reveille, and has been as light and merry all day 
as a summer sunbeam. 

A slice or two of fine ham added considerably to our dinner 
to-day, in quality at least, if not in quantity. Coffee was served to 
us for the last time to-day, as the difficulty of obtaining it, owing to 
the rigor of the blockade, has become almost insurmountable. It is 
worth from three to six dollars and a half a pound. 

Tea cannot be got at all, except at long intervals, and then twenty 
or thirty dollars are asked and readily given for a pound of it. If 
this state -of affairs continues much longer, the people of the South 
will need a vast amount of endurance to weather out the storm which 
they have raised. 

This afternoon, Lieutenant Connolley and I had another interesting 
series of games of chess. He again took the black men, while I 
stiU chose the white. As he is a remarkably good player, he at first 
got rae in a very bad "situation;" but, by dint of studying well my 



OUR CONCERT. 6* 

combinations, I had the satisfaction of not only freeing myself from 
the difficulty, but also of defeating my opponent in nearly every 
game thereafter. 

At 4 o'clock P. M., we had a concert among ourselves, at which we 
were honored by the audience of several Confederate officers, who 
seemed highly delighted with the performance, until, in grand strains, 
we gave them " Hail Columbia." At this their countenances rather 
fell, and they seemed to wish themselves away. Desiring to give 
them a mil dose of Union melody, wc immediately, upon the con- 
clusion of the song, struck up, "Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean." 
This forced one or two of them to excuse themselves very suddenly 
on important duties, and, by the time that we got to the middle 
verse of "The Star Spangled Banner," only a solitary one of them 
remained ; and I had heard hints thrown out that he was not thought 
to be fully loyal to the rebel government. Thus his desire to listen 
to the good old song was accounted for. I have often heard of Satan 
getting into agony when the sound of a church-bell struck upon his 
ear ; but I doubt if the old gentleman ever feared the ringing of a 
church-bell worse than a rebel fears the stirring notes of " The Star 
Spangled Banner." 

October 17. — Another day has been added to those of my captivity 
that have passed away. It is within half an hour of tattoo, after 
which all lights must be put out. I must, therefore, make the most 
of the time lefl; me to enter in my diary the events of the day. 

First, then, when the boat came over from the city this morning, it 
brought, from the same kind-hearted lady who sent us the jelly, a few 
days ago, a half a pound of excellent coffee. This was a great treat 
indeed ; and, though we never found out the name of our benefac- 
tress, yet we shall never cease to be thankful for the numberless 
attentions she paid to us while we were confined in the Castle. 

Sir Walter Scott never penned a greater truth than when he wroie: 

"0, woman! in our hours of ease, 

Uncertain, coj, and hard to jjlease ; 
When pain and anguish wring the brow, 
A ministering angel thou." 

From breakfast until dinner, I amused myself with carving a small 
fino-er-ring from a beautifully white mutton bone. I shall, if God 
spares me to return home, give it to little Fannie L . 

Bishop Lynch visited us to-day, and spent a long time with us. 
He inquired kindly after my welfare, and offered to advance me 
money if *! needed any. But, as he had previously laid me under a 



<[g6 THE CASTLE PINCKNEY BROTHERHOOD. 

debt of gratitude, I could not think of accepting his proffered aid. 
I have had several offers of pecuniary assistance, since I was 
imprisoned, from men, with whom having had only the slightest 
acquaintance in times past, I looked upon as strangers. Of course, I 
appreciated their liberal offers the more deeply upon this account; 
but, as I was totally ignorant of what lay in the future, I would not 
incur risks which might have gone entirely from under my control. 

Bishop Lynch dined with us, and his company rendered the frugal 
repast extremely pleasant. He soon after bade us farewell, and took 
his departure. 

This afternoon we formed an association similar, in all respects, to 
that of -which we were members in the old Tobacco "Warehouse, in 
Richmond. The title of our new society is " The Castle Pinckney 
Brotherhood." The objects of the "Brotherhood" are to be the 
same as were those of the "Richmond Prison Association,*' 
namely, to improve our minds, pass away our time, and amuse 
ourselves. 

Though we have continually missed our friends, Mr. Ely and 
Lieutenant Hart, yet we get along remarkably well, and manage to 
dispose of our hours with great advantage, both mentally and 
physically. 

I must stop now, for the tattoo has commenced, and, within a few 
minutes, all will be darkness and quiet. 

October 18. — Another gloomy, chilly day is upon us. Our coffee 
is all gone, and we do not expect to taste that refreshing beverage 
again until we are released, and sent home. We have almost given 
up all hope of release, however, until after the conclusion of the war. 
This seems to bear hardly upon the poor fellows, especially the rank 
and tile, many of whom have families in the North dependent upon 
them for support. It is to be sincerely hoped that the latter will be 
taken care of by the citizens at large. Otherwise I do not see how 
they are going to struggle through the rapidly approaching winter. 
The United States Government should take the matter in charge, 
and supply the wants of the wives and children of the noble fellows 
who rushed to the rescue of their country when all around was dark 
and threatening. Such a course would lighten the burden of many 
a husband's and. father's care and anxiety, whose lives are wasting 
away in Southern dungeons. 

Just after dinner to-day, we were startled by a steady and heavy 
cannonade from the fortifications around us. We fully expected that 
the threatened attack of the United States fleet had commenced, 
and that, before night came, we should hear and see shot and 



GREAT PRIVILEGE. 67 

shell falling thickly about our Castle residence. We were disap- 
pointed, however, for, not long afterward, we were informed bj 
one of our keepers that the firing was only occasioned by artillery 
practice. At first, we did not believe this statement ; but at last we 
were forced to do so, much as it was against our inclinations and 
wishes. Castle Finckney joined in the fusilade, and the solid w^alls 
trembled again at each discharge of its huge pieces. 

Wo were much disappointed when we found out our mistake, for 
we would willingly have run all the risks of the bombardment, 
which would give the fortifications into the possession of the Union 
forces. 

October 19. — The weather is daily becoming colder and colder, and 
the prisoners begin to feel more keenly the bad effects of insufiicient 
clothing. Some of them have no shoes, hats, coats, or bed-clothing, 
and what they will do, without the authorities at Washington speedily 
relieve them, I cannot tell. I wish that my scanty purse was filled 
only half as full of money as my heart is of pity, for then the red 
tape which controls affairs at Washington would soon be cut, and 
the patient soldiers made comfortable. An overcoat, a pair of shoes, 
and a good substantial blanket apiece, would enable the prisoners to 
pass very well through the approaching winter. I learn that Gene- 
ral Wool is making strong efforts to have the men in the hands of 
the rebels properly cared for. The General is an old soldier, and 
understands the case thoroughly, which the civilians at Washington, 
it seems, will never properly comprehend. 

Lieutenant Dempsey has been unwell all day, and confined during 
the afternoon to his bed. He is no better this evening, and I have 
advised him to see the surgeon in the morning. 

The ofiicers are allowed to walk about over the island on which 
the Castle is built, from reveille to retreat, and are allowed on the 
ramparts till tattoo. The rank and file have the liberty of the inner 
yard during these hours. This great privilege is fully appreciated 
by all the prisoners, not one of whom I believe would take advan- 
tage of it to eflect his escape. 

October 20. — The weather to-day has been clear, but colder than 
usual. Lieutenant Dempsey was so much improved by a good night's 
sleep, that the services of the surgeon were not required by him this 
morning. 

The rebel artillerists were again practising at the guns this after- 
noon. This shows that the dreaded Union fleet is fully expected to 
make an attack upon this port. I hope the expectation may be 
realized, and I pray that success may crown the eflbrt. When the 



68 SHAMEFUL NEGLECT. 

contest comes, it will be a terrible one, however, for the defences of 
this harbor are in a complete condition, and each fortification will 
have to be taken by steady and he:Tvy action. It would be rather 
strange, after all, if we were liberated by the Union guns. 

October 21. — To-day I have written a letter to my dear friend, 
Captain James B. Kirker, in reply to his of the sixleenth of August. 
We have been in the habit of .censuring the Confederate authorities 
for delaying the receipt of our letters from home in an unwarrantable 
degree ; but this letter from Captain Kirker shows conclusively that 
there is some culpable negligence on the other side of the line. While 
the letter itself w\ns dated Avgiist 16, the envelope bore the post- 
mark of Norfolk^ Odoher 14, thus showing that, after being written 
and mailed, two months were consumed in its passage to Norfolk, 
coming all the way thither, also, through loyal hands. This is a 
shame, and the officials allowing it should be taught either how to 
resign their places, or how to appreciate the anxiety and ^Yants of 
captives far away from home and dear ones. 

The general health of the prisoners is remarkably good, consider- 
ing what they have been forced to endure, both mentally and physic- 
ally. There are some half a dozen in the hospital, most of them 
belonging to the First Michigan Regiment. Lieutenant Underhill, 
of the Eleventh New York Volunteers, is now fully recovered from 
a severe attack of typhoid fever under which he has been laboring. 

I wonder if all the officers and men of the old Sixty Ninth will 
ever come together again. Captain Mclvor, Lieutenant Bagley, and 
Lieutenant Gannon are, I believe, still in Richmond; but the rank 
and file were sent to New Orleans. If they are kept there until the 
sickly, summer season sets in, I fear we shall have to mourn them as 
"the unreturning brave," if indeed we are spared ourselves. 

Thrifty housewives have an adage that says : " Money goes like 
butter in the sun." Were they down here, however, I think they 
would not be very long in finding out that it may go much faster. 

My friends at home may possibly think that I slight them, by not 
writing to them oftener than I do ; but there are so many chances 
against a letter from a prisoner ever reaching its destination, that it 
is almost useless to attempt it. 

October 22. — This morning I received from the same kind lady who 
has previously sent little presents to the prisoners, and who still 
persists in remaining unknown to us, a dozen large bunches of fine 
raisins. They were wrapped first in a sheet of white paper, and then 
in half a New York Herald, of the date of July 30, 1861. Though 
the fruit was delightful, yet it was not as welcome as the partially 



THE BOUNTY FUND OF TKE SIXTY NINTH. ^9* 

destroyed newspaper. The first item in the latter wliich struck my 
attention was one relating to the Bounty Fund of the Sixty Ninth 
Regiment, about which Captain Kirker has several times written to 
me. In case of an accident to the paper containing the item, I here- 
with transcribe the latter to my diary: 

Sixty Ninth Regiment Relief Fund. 

"A meeting of the comniittee having this fund in charge was held 
at Captain Kirker's, No. 699 Broadway, last evening. Present — 
Hon. Charles P. Daly, in the chair; Edward J. Wilson, Acting 
Treasurer ; AVilliam J. Kane, Secretary ; Messrs. James B. Nichol- 
son, John Ilennessy, Edward Hart, Captain Kirker, and others. 
The following resolutions were presented, and unanimously adopted : 

" 'Resolved, That no further payments be made to the families of 
the soldiers who have returned uninjured, and that the remainder of 
the fund be applied to the relief of the families of the wounded, 
• dead, or missing of the regiment. 

" 'Resolved^ That the Secretary be directed to apply to the Cap- 
tains of the different companies for a list of the wounded, the dead, 
and the missing. 

" 'Resolved, That the future meetings of the committee for the 
administration of relief will be held on Friday, at 5 o'clock P. M., at 
599 Broadway.' " 

On the same pa^e, my eye fell also upon the following paragraph : 

"More Troops for Canada. 

[From tlie Montreal Advertiser. "^ 

" It is reported that the Great Eastern will return to Quebec this 
fall, with several regiments of troops and additional batteries of 
Armstrong guns, among which will be the batteries which did such 
good service in China, and which have been ordered home by the 
overland route through Egypt." 

This looks very much like as if England, under the specious pre- 
tence of defending Canada against invasion from the United States, is 
preparing to interfere in the affairs of the latter country at some 
moment favorable to her own schemes. Great Britain must know 
just as well as we do that we shall find enough trouble on our hands 
to settle before this war is done with, without going to the expense 
of conquering Canada. Both the Canadas must, at some future day, 
become an integral portion of the United States of their own free 
will. If allowed to ripen, the fruit wiW eventually fall into our laps. 



70 A GAME OF CHESS. 

October 23. — The rebel artillerists have been practising again 
to-day, notwithstanding that the weather has been bad. I did not 
take my customary walk about the island to-day, on account of the 
weather, but remained in-doors, and passed my time away in playing 
chess and reading a book on military law. 

October 24. — This morning was as bad as yesterday, until about 
noon, when, the clouds breaking away, we had a beautiful afternoon 
and evening. Lieutenant Conn oil ey and I played a game of chess 
to-day, each of us without looking upon the board. We got along 
very satisfactorily for the first few moves ; but, not being quite as 
good players as Morphy or Paulsen, we at last got our ideas much in 
the same condition as are the political affairs of our country ; that is, 
slightly mixed. 

The trials of the pirates, whom the rebels call privateers, are 
exciting, I hear, much comment. The Confederates are eagerly 
watching the course of matters in the Northern courts ; and, if the 
pirates are condemned, there is no doubt but that the former will 
retaliate upon us prisoners. From the harsh manner in which I 
have been already treated, I fully expect that I will be selected as 
one of the first victims.* I am prepared for any fate, however, no 
matter what it is, so long as my adopted land will be benefited 
thereby. 

The rest of my unfortunate diary is mutilated to such an extent 
as to be entirely useless, and I must, therefore, continue from memory 
my experience from that day up to my release. The next day, 
Friday, we received an intimation that, as the pirates in the Korth 
were confined in prison cells as common felons, we would be served 
in the same manner. 

On the following Sabbath, our staunch friend. Bishop Lynch, came 
over from the city to pay us a visit. He confirmed the news we had 
received touching our disposal, and endeavored to console us in our 
misfortune. He deeply deplored the existence of the war, and 
prayed that God, in his infinite mercy, would bring it speedily to a 
close. This was the last time I had the pleasure of seeing the Bishop 
in Castle Pinckney, for, on the following Wednesday, October 30th, 
all the captives, myself included, were taken from our ocean-washed 
prison, and closely confined in the common jail in Charleston. An 
account of the affair, that I subsequently saw in the Charleston 

* It was a strange coincidence that Colonel Corcoran's fate, determined as it was 
by chance, should be exactly what he suspected that the Confederates would mete 
out to him by design. 



SENT TO CHARLESTON JAIL. 71 

Meraury, I herewith give, as it may perhaps be interesting to those 
who have not before read it 

"The Union Prisoners of War. 

[From the Charleston Mercuri/ of Nov. 2.] 

" Charleston was somewhat startled from its serenity on "Wednes- 
day afternoon last, by the passage through the streets of the captive 
Bull Runners, who, for some time past, have been quartered at Castle 
Pinckney. The steamer John A. Moore, containing the prisoners, 
their effects, and the guard of Zouaves, reached the wharf about four 
o'clock. 

" After some time spent in packing the baggage of the Yankees in 
wagons, the line was formed in the following order : 



Platoon of thf City Guard. 



o 



^ • Prisoners of War Mabciiino S 

o Five Abreast. '^ 

H O 

i < 



o 



Platoon of the City Guard. 



*' The column then moved rapidly to the tap of the drum, through 
East Bay, Cumberland, Meeting, and Queen Streets to the former 
commodious quarters of the prisoners. 

" Along the whole line of the march, the streets were thronged 
with a motley crowd of people, juveniles and darkies. Great eager- 
ness was expressed to see the officers, especially Colonel Corcoran, 
late of the Sixty Ninth Regiment. The privates were indeed a 
sorry-looking set, but seemed in quite a good humor ; and many of 
them carried along on their shoulders their chairs, chess-boards, and 
other similar conveniences, which they had extemporized during 
their stay at Castle Pintkney. 

" One of the prisoners, who marched among the officers, was 
recognized as the itinerant vender of " Magic Oil," who, a year or 
two ago, used to frequent the Post-Office steps and other well-known 
localities. He has now turned his elocutionary powers to a better 
account, and officiates, or did officiate, as chaplain of a Yankee 
regiment. 



72 A SPITEFUL OFFICIAL. 

" We understand that tlie prisoners were removed from Castle 
Pinckney m ord.er that the post might he put to a better use.^^ 

In tlie last sentence of the above, I have italicised the closing 
words to call particular attention to the malignant expression of bad 
feeling on the part of the person who wrote the article. According 
to my idea, Castle Pinckney was highly honored by the presence of 
Union prisoners within its walls. 

The popular feeling, however, about this period began to run very 
high against us, and there was much rejoicing when it was announced 
that a certain number of us had been selected by lot as hostages for 
the safety of the rebel pirates. Throughout the whole length and 
breadth of the so-called Confederacy, I do not believe there were a 
hundred who felt sorry for us. 

I well remember the day on which my doom was first made known 
to me. It was a day or two after the lots were drawn by my old 
friend and fellow-prisoner, Mr. Ely, in the Tobacco Warehouse at 
Richmond, As I had been fully expecting something of this sort, I 
was not in the least surprised when the news arrived. But I must, 
in honesty, say that I was much surprised that I had been allowed 
the privilege of running an even risk with my fellow-ofiicers, instead 
of being directly selected by the rebel authorities, who had always 
seemed to have a particular spite against me. 

In view of this state of the case, also, I only felt the less concern 
for my life, and the greater desire to serve my adopted country to the 
fullest extent required. 

The officer, whose duty it was to make me acquainted with the 
intention of the Confederate government, after reading the order 
respecting me, from the Secretary of War, apologized in the usual 
formal manner for being obliged to perform such a disagreeable duty, 
&c. I turned away with the reply : 

''Oh, no matter. Colonel! our turn will come next." 

From that moment out, while I was under his charge, this narrow- 
minded man took every opportunity to annoy and harass me. He 
was altogether unlike those Confederate officers with whom it had 
been my good fortune to fall in. Whenever he came across an 
; article denunciatory of the Yankee prisoners, he took especial pains 
to hand me the paper containing it. 

One day, just after learning what was to be done with me, and as 
I was lying asleep on my wretched pallet, he handed to Lieutenant 
Connolley, to give me when I awoke, a copy of the Norfolk Day 



BEBEL NEWSPAPER ITEMS. "73 

Booh^ containing the following paragraph, ■which he had very care- 
fully marked round with ink : 

. "Hanging Rebels. 

Richmond, November 11, 1861. 

" Colonel Corcoran, three captains, and eighteen lieutenants, all of 
whom were captured in the action at Manassas, and confined in the 
jail at Richmond, have been selected by lots to be hung, by way of 
retribution for the hanging of Captain Baker and the crew of the 
Southern privateer. Savannah. 

"The Hon, Mr. Ely, member of Congress, drew lots for Mr. Cor- 
coran, who is now imprisoned at Charleston. In case the court in 
New York condemn the crew of the Savannah to death, the Union 
officers will be immediately hung." 

The above, as the reader will see, is entirely incorrect in par- 
ticulars. 

Along with the Day Book, this contemptible man also left a copy 
of the Charleston Mercury, with the following also marked round 
with ink : 

" The Yankee prisoners in South Carolina are all safely lodged 
in jail, where they will abide the issue of the trials of our brave 
privateersmen at the North. Should one drop of Southern blood be 
shed by the Northern courts for defending the South on the seas, it 
will be paid with interest in Charleston. 

" Self-protection, and the" enforcement of the laws of nations and 
humanity, alike require, in this instance, full and ample retaliation." 

While I am quoting from these two rebel papers, I might as well 
give the reader also an advertisement in the Day Bool; close by the 
article I have quoted above. I give it to show the terrorism which 
prevails at the South. More bitter venom could scarcely be crowded 
into so few words. 

"Attention, Rattlesnakes! 

"Charge with fell poison, and be prepared to strike. We find 

many subjects in this town who must receive the force of our venom. 

Call early at the Hole, and hear the Big Snake. Little Snakes, keep 

your eyes open, and bring in a list of those unfriendly to our holy 

cause. 

By order of The Big Rattle. 

November 13, 1861." 



74 THE FIRE IS CHARLESTON. 

When I awoke, I felt extremely unwell ; so much so that, after 
casually reading over the marked paragraphs, I threw down the 
papers, and took no more notice of them, nor the effort the rebel 
officer thus made to annoy and insult me. My illness steadily grew 
worse, till at last it took the form of typhoid fever. Then it was 
that I experienced the kindness and untiring attentions of Lieutenant 
Coiinolley and private John Owens, both of whom, fortunately for me, 
had been allowed to accompany and remain with me all the way 
from Richmond. Had it not been for the faithful devotion of these 
two men, I feel certain that I should never have lived through the 
attack. As it was, however, I quickly improved, and had nearly 
recovered, when my life was again endangered by the great confla- 
gration which, as the reader doubtless remembers, gave rise to the 
report in the North that the slaves of Charleston had risen in an 
insurrection, and burned the city. There can be no doubt that, at 
one time, the destructive element threatened a total destruction of the 
place, and the escape of the city seemed almost miraculous. 

Whole blocks were swept away. In Mazyck, Logan, Savage, and 
New Streets, the fire made the most terrific progress, destroying 
everything, and making that portion of the city an entire waste. 

The prison in which we were confined was several times in great 
peril, the burning flakes falling thickly around it, while the wind 
brought thick, dark volumes of smoke, and whirled them about the 
building in the most fearful manner. So great indeed was the danger 
at one time, that the intensity of the heat and the thickly falling 
embers drove the few members of the guard, who were not 
engaged in assisting to quell the fire, away from their posts. It 
was at this juncture that many of the captives made the attempt 
to escape. 

During the progress of the conflagration, I felt sure that the prison 
in which I was confined would go down, and accordmgly I made 
preparations to save my life by the most convenient means. I was 
not long in finding the latter. An old bed-sacking lay in one corner 
of the room, with the cord still remaining threaded through its ey let- 
holes. With the assistance of Lieutenant Connolley and John 
Owens, I speedily freed the cord from the sacking, and then doubling 
it, twisted it together so as to form a single rope. With my two 
companions, I then went to one of the windows, where, securely 
fastening one extremity of the rope, I cast the other out into the 
street- I then ordered Lieutenant Connolley and John Owens to 
gave themselves first, promising to follow them immediately; but 




'Before I had lowered myself to the pavement, the Rebel Soldiers had oomo 
up, and stood ready to transfix us with their bayonets.— See page 85. 



MY ATTEMPTED ESCAPE. 85 

neither of the devoted men would listen to this, but insisted that I 
should go first. I still remained firm however. 

"Well, Colonel," said Lieutenant Connolley, "I think you are 
right ; because, if there's any danger below, I can easily give you 
. warning, so that you may find some other way of escaping Here 
I go!" 

With these words, the brave fellow sprang up upon the window- 
sill, lowered himself quickly out, and, grasping the rope, -> slipped 
instantly down to the sidewalk. I then told John Owens to go also, 
but he utterly refused. 

" You go. Colonel, and I'll stay here and see the rope don't slip. 
And when you get down you won't touch ground before I'm by your 
side." 

Seeing from his countenance that he Was determined to have his 
own way, I got up upon the window-sill, and, seizing the rope, was 
about to lower myself, when Lieutenant Connolley shouted : 

" Quick ! quick, Colonel ! Here comes a squad of soldiers on the 
double quick! They're bound to make us roast!" 

At this perilous moment, a loop of the cord became tangled about 
one of my fingers ; and, b}-- the time I had undone it, and lowered 
myself to the pavement, the soldiers had come up to us, and stood 
ready to transfix us with their charged bayonets, should we attempt 
to escape further than we had. 

John Owens instantly followed me, and he was in turn followed by 
fully a dozen others. 

After the lapse of about ten minutes, we were all marched to a 
building close by, where we were securely confined, Wo soldiers with 
loaded pieces being placed to guard us. 

• The attempt upon our part was not looked upon by the rebels as 
an effort to regain our freedom, but merely to save . ourselves from 
the fire. Consequently no extra punishment was awarded us. This 
was fortunate enough, for, had the guard been fully aware of our 
real designs — which Avere either to reach Port Royal, now in the 
possession of the Union fleet, or to make the best of our way 
Northward — the}'- Avould undoubtedly have shot us dovra without 
the slightest scruple. In our new abode wc were forced to remain 
until after the conflagration was ended, when we were taken back to 
our old quarters. And, while speaking of this matter, I am reminded 
of a report, which, at the time it was first set afloat, obtained credence 
everywhere. It was to the effect that, for some act of insubordina- 
tion on my part, I had been shot dead on the ramparts at Castle 
Pinckney by a rebel sentinel. Of course it is unnecessary for me to 
4 



SQ PUT IN A felon's cell. 

contradict this rumor now, but I may as well in this connection 
remark, that I deem it due to myself to deny all the sensation reports 
which, since my capture, have been circulated in the North concern- 
ing me. 

Among the most cruel acts of the vindictive rebel officer I have 
mentioned, was the following : 

On November 19, he came into the room where, with my com- 
panions, I was seated in conversation, and, in a pompous tone, informed 
me that he had come to lock me up in a cell by myself. 

"Very good, sir," replied I, rising from my chair; "I am ready 
for any fate, no matter what." 

This answer, which, perhaps, was entirely unexpected, irritated 
him, and, with a scowl of malignity, he rejoined: 

"You won't be so ready if it comes to hanging." 

"I shall endeavor at least," said I, "to meet such a death in a 
manner worthy of a soldier. By-the-by," I continued, as I remem- 
bered that I had yet to complete a pleasant task which I had com- 
menced before breakfast, "will you allow me half an hour to finish 
and copy a letter, which I wish to send to a friend of mine in New 
York?" 

" No, sir ; you must come with me immediately." 

I know that a flush of anger rushed to my cheeks at this instant, 
and an idea of resisting took possession of me. But a moment's 
reflection served to dissipate all this, and with a silent nod I pre- 
pared to follow him. Before leaving the room, however, I requested 
Lieutenant Connolley to transcribe the letter I had Avritten, and see to 
its being sent. » I also bade him state the reason why it was not in 
my own handwriting. He begged that he might be permitted to 
resign what few privileges he enjoyed, and to share with me my closp 
confinement. But this was peremptorily denied, and I was marched 
off alone to my solitary cell, which had just been used previously by 
one of the vilest convicts, whom it had been found necessary to chain 
to the floor. The chain and ankle link still remained attached to the 
bolt in the boards when I entered the wretched dungeon, and I fully 
■ expected that the degrading shackles would be riveted upon myself 

But in this belief, thank Heaven ! I was wrong, and the indignity 
offered me ended with my confinement in the contracted, dirty cell. 
Strange, also, as it may seem, yet it is nevertheless true, that some 
of the moments which I passed in this very prison cell, were among 
the happiest I ever experienced. For the consciousness that I was 
suffering in a great and holy cause took away the pangs which 
otherwise would have accompanied my ill treatment by the Con- 



LIEUT, hart's letter. . 87 

federate autliorities. My answer to tlie scoffs and persuasions of the 
rebel officials was uniformly the same: "Your turn now; our turn 
next." 

Beside the ill-bred, contemptible officer whom I have referred to 
above, there was another, Major Leland, who was just the opposite 
of his associate, or, rather, superior. Kind and affable, he invariably, 
when he wijs on duty, exerted himself to the utmost to make the 
dreary hours of my captivity slip away as smoothly as possible. 
Though compassionate, he was always gay and entertaining, and yet 
far from light or frivolous. Even when off duty, and he happened 
to be passing my cell, he would look in, shake my hand, slip me a 
newspaper, or a few segars, and be gone. He came and went like a 
ray of genial sunlight. 

In one of the papers which the Major left me one day, I was sur- 
prised and. well pleased to see a letter written by my old friend and 
fellow-prisoner. Lieutenant Isaac Hart. Though in the Tobacco 
Warehouse at Richmond Lieutenant Hart had been the merriest of 
the company, yet he keenly appreciated the real condition of himself 
and his fellow-prisoners, and showed himself capable of portraying 
their situation in the strongest and most vivid manner. The reader 
shall judge for himself however: 

"Prisoners' Quarters, Eichmond, Va., 
, December^ 1861. 

" To James Gordon Bennett, Esq. 

Dear Sir — The object of this - communication is to call the 
attention of your numerous readers to the condition of the Federal 
prisoners at this point. It calls up every emotion of the soul's pity, 
as we have beheld from day to day their perfect destitution and 
sufferings. I have been frequently inquired of by the pale and 
sickly, half-clad, heart-broken soldier, far from home and in prison 
in an enemy's land: 

'"When will our government send us some clothing and blankets? 
Do you know. Lieutenant ?' And I have heard them say despond- 
ingly: 

" 'If our friends only knew how we suffer here, they would send to 
our relief; but I suppose they think the government will see to it.' 

"I have seen the tears trickle down their cheeks. Repeated scenes 
of this kind, feebly described, prompted the noble-hearted Ely to 
make the proposition that I clip from the Enquirer of this morning.* 

* Referring to Mr. Ely's offer, mentioned in the previous pages, of $5000 to furnish 
tlie needy prisoners with the indispensable necessaries of lifo. 



88 LIEUT, hart's letter. 

The soldiers refused it because tliey love their country; and, as they 
had volunteered in her service, they still believed that she would 
come to their relief; and still they suffer on. I use the term halt 
clad. It is not an exaggeration. I have seen them dirty and pale 
from long confinement, without shoes, socks, shirts, coats, hats or 
caps, and, in some instances, with onhj drawers for jMyits. 

"Hundreds of them have been sent South to other quarters, in 
this condition, exposed to the gaze of the curious and excited crowds. 
As generous as was the proposition of the Hon. Alfred Ely, it would 
avail but little at the present list of prices here. The Confederate 
soldiers are supplied by home contributions with all necessaries. K 
Mr. Ely were in his place in Congress, he could present the case in 
such a light as would cause the whole heart of the people to throb 
with sympathy for the prisoners, and institute a system of exchange, 
demanded by every principle of justice and humanity. 

"The first sent by the Confederates was seventy, which* waa 
promptly responded to by our government. Last week five more 
were sent by the Federal government, and as promptly responded to 
by the Confederate government. This principle applied, and carried 
out, would exchange every man of us at once. Shall we have it ? 
In God's name let it come, as it would be an act of purest benevo- 
lence, and would call forth more blessings on the heads and hearts 
that are movers in the matter, than any one act that could, or has, 
presented itself to a Christian world in this, the noon of the nine- 
teenth century. 

" Three thousand prisoners have their eyes turned to the govern- 
ment. Their numerous friends at home are all looking and praying 
for their exchange. Shall they look in vain ? May all that is holy, 
good, or patriotic, forbid it, and may God's blessings descend upon 
that heart that acts justly, is the prayer of one of the prisoners at 
Eichmond, to which all the rest respond. Amen ! 

Yours Eespectfully, I. W. Hart, 

Quartermaster 20th Ind. FoZ." 

Just after the date on which the above stirring and touching appeal 
v;'as made, relief came to the prisoners through the instrumentality 
of Major General Wool, who had been pushing the matter for some 
time previous. 

While immured myself, I could never cease thinking of the thou- 
sands of captives who were languishing away in Southern prisons, 
and thinking also of their needy, anxious families far away in the 



EFFORTS FOR MY RELEASE. 89 

North, who, in want and sorrow, were obliged to suffer on, and await 
the long delayed action of tardy Washington officials. 

Nearly all of those who had been taken prisoners at Bull's Run had 
been enlisted for three months, and it became a question whether, 
after the expiring of their time, they would be considered discharged, 
or whether their pay would go on regularly so long as they were 
held by their enemies. Justice certainly pointed to the latter course, 
for their stay in the inhospitable land of the Sunny South was invol- 
untary on their part, and the result of their bravery and unyielding 
devotion to the cause for which they suffered. 

My long confinement began to tell heavily upon my physical con- 
dition, although my mind was comparatively free from care. It is 
written in tl^e good book, that "hope deferred maketh the heart 
sick," and I must acknowledge that, notwithstanding all my efforts 
to the contrary, there were moments of my captivity during which 
my heart was indeed sick with long deferred hope. The reader will 
bear in mind that now, also, my situation was a peculiarly unpro- 
mising one, for, standing as I did, a hostage for the life or death of 
the pirate. Smith, who had been condemned in Philadelphia, I knew 
not at what moment I might be called upon to suffer the ignominious 
doom of a convicted felon upon the scaffold. 

During these dreary days of suspense, I heard now and then of the 
strenuous efforts being made by my friends to have me released, and 
to look after the welfare of those near and dear to my heart at home 
in New York. These items of intelligence came through the gloom 
like the bright beams of the sun through a murky sky. They were 
like the precious, cooling zephyrs which once in awhile fan the 
fevered, worn out traveller on the arid deserts of Arabia. And I * 
was only too sorry that every prisoner in the hands of the rebels did 
not have as many rays of the same sunlight to warm and encourage 
him, and as many zephyrs to fan his brow. 

It used to be one of my most constant and heavy cares thinking 
upon the hard lot of the noble men, the rank and file, not only of 
the Sixty Ninth, but, also, of every other regiment on whose strong 
arms alone depended the maintenance of wives, and mothers, and little 
ones at home. Had I been the possessor of all the wealth of Gol- 
conda, I would have given it all away to "the Union prisoners and 
their families. There would have been no starving wives, no naked 
children belonging to a volunteer, had Michael Corcoran's purse been 
as large as his heart. 

Now and then I used to hear of the release of a prisoner, and I 
always felt glad when I heard it, but I felt more than glad when I 



■00 A DISTINGUISHED VICTIM. 

learned that the Hon. Mr. Ely had been set free from confinement 
at Kichmond^ and allowed to Return home. 

I had been fearful that, though not a military man, and, therefore, 
not properly a prisoner of war, Mr. Ely would be served by the 
rebels in the same inhuman manner as had been Calvin Huson, Esq. 
This well-known gentleman accompanied Mr. Ely to the battle-field 
of Bull's Kun, for the purpose of rendering aid to those who might 
be wounded in a batallion which had been raised in his own Con- 
gressional district in New York. With this noble and humane 
object he entered the battle, and, heedless of his own safety, sought 
only to fulfil his compassionate mission. He was captured and taken 
to the Tobacco Warehouse at Richmond, where he was shortly after- 
ward attacked with typhoid fever. As he gradually but surely grew 
worse and worse, his friends in captivity — the warmest among whom 
was his former political opponent, Mr. Ely — exerted themselves to 
the very utmost to have him at least removed to a hospital. But 
their entreaties were for a length of time unavailing. Succeeding at 
last, Mr. Ely had his dying friend taken from the Tobacco Ware- 
house to the residence of a kind family in the rebel capital. Here 
every care and attention were paid to the sufferer, but without the 
hoped-for effect, for, a few days later, he breathed his last, a 
martyr to that glorious cause in which it is my wish to die before 
all others. He was buried in the most beautiful cemetery in Eich- 
mond, and sleeps as calmly as though he had been laid in a quiet, 
country churchyard, where the birds and heaven's winds alone would 
have sung over his grave. 

One after another of those who were captured at the same time as 
myself, and others who were taken subsequently, were released and 
sent home, while I was held more tightly and treated more rigorously 
than ever. The reader of these pages may possibly suppose that the 
release of my fellow-prisoners made me feel envious, but such a 
^eeling never found a place in my breast, I always thanked God for 
his mercy and kindness to them. As to my own fortune, I expe- 
rienced none but the deepest emotion of pleasure to know that I was 
accounted worthy to suffer more than my fellow-captives for the 
sake of the land of my adoption. 

I was not destined to remain long in Charleston, for, my captors, 
on some pretext or other, determined that, with some other prisoners 
who were deemed dangerous characters — quite complimentary to me, 
by the way — I should be removed to Columbia, the capital of South 
Carolina. 

As the winter had quite fallen, the journey between the two cities 



SENT TO COLUMBL\. 91 

was a very cold and disagreeable one— disagreeable not only on 
account of the weather, but, also, on account of the treatment re- 
ceived from the inhabitants along the road. In a few instances we 
were allowed to pass without any demonstration, but in the majority 
of cases we were jeered and hooted at by the ignorant mobs, who 
sometimes were rather violent in their manifestations of hatred and 
anger, requiring the services of our guards to keep them within 
bounds. The people of South Carolina, that is, the masses, are fear- 
fully ignorant, even the slaves looking down upon them with contempt, 
and calling them xcldte trash. It is, therefore, not astonishing • to 
behold a people, such as these, awakened to the most desperate resist- 
ance to the laws of the land by the wiley and intelligent leaders of 
the rebellion. 

At B ranch ville they shouted out all manner of imprecations and 
ill wishes. Their favorite cry was: 

" Hang 'em 1 hang 'em I" 

And, but for the presence of the soldiers who accompanied us, this 
benevolent suggestion would doubtless have been put into execution. 
The following extract from the Charleston Mercury of the fourth or 
fifth of November, will show the state of the public mind in regard 
to " Yankee prisoners." It was written when a batch of one hundred 
and fifty captives was taken there from Richmond and other prisons, 
and will serve to show what sort of a reception awaited us at the 
capital of the State. 

" The arrival of 150 Yankee prisoners has been looked upon with 
great dissatisfaction by the people of Columbia. There appears to be 
some apprehension of the escape of some of the vandals, and subse- 
quent mischief arising therefrom. On their march to jail the band 
struck up 'Dixie's Land,' when the Yankees became quite merry, 
and seemed to relish the fun quite as much as any of the spectators. 
This set contains some of the poorest looking specimens of humanity 
we have yet seen. One, a boy not over fourteen or fifteen years of 
age, was both shoeless and hatless, and was the very picture of 
despair. The majority are foreigners. They have been safely lodged 
in jail. Their escort from Richmond was the Charlotte Grays of 
Virginia, who made a gallant charge on the larder of our friend 
Janney, of the Congaree, but were compelled by the overwhelming 
odds and the appearance of strong reinforcements, to cry -peccavi and 
lay down their arms." 

Oar own arrival at Columbia was, of course, as it happened at a 
later date, more distasteful to the inhabitants, who were by no means 
slow in manifesting their dissatisfaction at our coming into their 



92 A EEBEL AEGUMENT. 

midst, notwithstanding that we were, besides being totally unarmed, 
nearly all worn out through fatigue and sickness. 

The officers under w^hose charge we were first placed at Columbia- 
were as kind and indulgent as their strict orders would permit them 
to be ; but a prisoner, who is made the object of the retaliation of a 
government, has but little mercy shown to him, and that little only 
through the personal pity of the officer in whose custody he is put. 

A matter on which the rebels used to pride themselves very much 
was their blockade of the Potomac below Washington, They had 
erected formidable batteries all the Avay down, and held, for some 
time, undisputed possession of the river. 

"Not a transport, nor even a gunboat, could get up to "Washing- 
ton," they said; "and when General Lee was ready, he would advance, 
cut off the railroad communication of the Northerners with the 
Federal capital, and take the city by storm. I would soon have the 
pleasure of hearing of the capture of ' Old Abe Lincoln,' his cabinet 
and congress," 

This kind of gasconade used to amuse me very much, and I would 
sometimes quietly suggest to my secession friends, that, besides being 
impregnably fortified, the moment it should be learned that the 
capital was in peril, the whole North would rise, en inasse, as it had 
done before, and pour forth millions of men, who would, from sheer 
force of numbers, compel them to retire in the shortest possible time. 

One day when speaking on this subject to the Confederate officer 
in whose charge I was, he actually took out his pencil and calculated 
how it was to be accomplished. 

" You see, Colonel," he said, while figuring rapidly with his pencil, 
" we have an army ready of two or three hundred thousand men, 
and as a Southern man is, in real courage and daring, equal to four 
or five Northerners, this army would be equal to twelve or fifteen 
hundred thousand men on the other side." 

This loose way of reasoning was rather too much for me, and with 
a smile, and perhaps a little sharpness of tone, I rejoined: , . 

"I think you are badly mistaken. Major Williams. Just let me 
freshen up j'-our memory a little. At the battle of Bull's Eun the 
Fire Zouaves, the Seventy Ninth, and the Sixty Ninth, not only met, 
but drove back in rout whole brigades of your bravest, choicest 
men, and completel}^ annihilated your famous Black Horse cavalry. 
And as to your blockading the Potomac, take care that Generals 
McGlellan and Scott do not raise it by capturing your whole army." 

It always struck me as surprising with what confidence the South- 
erners looked forward to their essential triumph in this war. They 



"hail COLUMBIA." 93 

continually avowed themselves ready to give up botli property and 
lives to attain what they chose to call their independence. It mat- 
tered not to tell them of the tremendous power and resources, and 
indomitable courage of the loyal portion of the Union. They would 
not listen to such arguments ; and they will never be convinced of 
the true state of the case, until the mightiest effort, which they can 
possibly make, sliall be crushed overwhelmingly by the government 
that they are seeking to destroy. 

Though threatened with all sorts of violence, the captives were 
manly and bold, and even, considering their situation, light-hearted. 
Among the number there were several beautiful singers, and these, 
learning of the objection of the people of Columbia to receive "Yan- 
kee prisoners" into the city, determined to get up a joke upon the 
irate populace, in which all the rest of their fellow-prisoners joined 
with a zest. It was during the latter part of the afternoon that we 
came in sight of the city, and, when we did so, the leading spirits 
struck up the noble air of " Hail Columbia !" in the most telling style. 
"When the chorus came in, every man lent the aid of his lungs to send 
it up to as high a pitch as possible. I think the Columbians were 
never before treated with such glorious music, and a large number 
of them, seeing the point, laughed themselves into good humor 
over it. 

During our stay in the capital of South Carolina, we experienced 
nothing beyond the ordinary routine of prison life through which we 
had already passed. There were the same longings to be released, 
to hear from friends at home, and to obtain clothes, &c. OnS event 
happened during my sojourn in Columbia which gave me both sorrow 
and pleasure, which was the release of Lieutenant Connolley. I was 
much pleased that he was so fortunate as to be able to return home, 
and I was sorry also to be obliged to lose his company; for the 
sparkling geniality of his disposition rendered him^one of the best 
companions. 

Once in awhile I received letters from home, and very precious 
did they appear to me. In the monotony of a captive's life I would 
have welcomed the appearance of even a tailor's bill, so much did I 
long for something to dispel the ennui which, sometimes in spite of 
my strongest mental efforts, took possession of me. 

Newspapers reached me like angels' visits, " few and far between," 
and, consequently, when I was fortunate enough to obtain one, I 
prized it as highly as the miner prizes a large nugget of gold which 
he unexpectedly digs up. I read it several times over from the 



94 A FRIEND IN NEED. 

title head, on the first page, to the last line on the last page, adver- 
tisements and all. 

When I was removed from Castle Pinckney to Columbia, I thought 
that I would not be forced to again change my quarters until I started 
for home, or for the scaffold. Consequently I was somewhat aston- 
ished when I learned that I was to be taken to Salisbury, in North 
Carolina. As I had been sent to Columbia as a "dangerous cha- 
racter," I suppose that, during my stay there, I had grown somewhat 
more dangerous, and, therefore, my removal to a still more inland 
place became, in the eyes of the Confederate government, an indis- 
pensable necessity. 

While passing through the town of Charlotte, in North Carolina, 
on my way to my new prison, I came across an old friend to whom, 
several years ago, I had it in my power to render some assistance. 
Since then he went South, where, prospering in business beyond his 
most sanguine expectations, he became rapidly very wealthy. He 
was much pleased to see me, and, before parting with me, he insisted 
that I should accept, at least as a loan, a well-filled purse. As at this 
time my own wallet was in anything but a plethoric condition, and 
my old friend was so sincere in his offer, I thankfully accepted it. 
He ran no small risk on my account in the matter, for it was ex- 
tremely dangerous for any man, no matter how true he might be to 
the Southern cause, to be seen even speaking any length of time to a 
Union prisoner. 

The people of North Carolina were, in many instances, just as 
violent in their treatment of the Federal captives as were their seces- 
sion brethren of South Carolina ; while in others their kindness and 
attention were quite marked. 

Upon reaching Salisbury, the humdrum routine of prison life 
recommenced, with, if anything, a little harder fare than before. 
Coffee and tea were luxuries which, owing to the efiiciency of the 
blockade, were scarcely ever seen on the tables of the wealthy, much less 
on the humble board of the Union prisoners, while butter was almost 
as rare. Of the common necessaries of life, however, there always 
seemed an abundance. Flour, and beef, and bacon were purchased 
at a moderate advance on old prices. Of course these remarks apply 
as a general rule, for, in some localities flour has sold as high as 
twenty-five and thirty dollars a barrel, while within a few miles it 
has not brought half that price. 

In one or two of the New York papers that fortune put in my 
possession, I got scraps of information respecting the doings and 
movements of the gallant Sixty Ninth, and its gallant and accom- 



NEWS OF THE SIXTY NINTH. 95 

plished officers. Next to the proper disposal of the Bounty Fund of 
the regiment, nothing gave me more pleasure than the promotion of 
the various officers and members of which the regiment was com- 
posed. And when the second great crisis of the war came, and the 
Federal capital was threatened once more, oh, how my heart leaped 
as I read the words: 

"The Sixty Ninth Eallying Again!" 

How my eager eyes devoured each word and each letter of the para- 
graph which told me that the brave Irish lads were once more baring 
their manly breasts to the battle storm, and that they were once more 
nerving their brawny arms to strike for the Star Spangled emblem 
of their adopted nationality! In fancy I saw them marching down 
Broadway, with full ranks, and in complete order, amid the farewells 
and hurrahs of mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers. In fancy I 
saw them received with open arms in hospitable Philadelphia, re- 
freshed, and bidden God-speed upon their march. In fancy I saw 
them camped within sight -of the foe, with pickets out, and camp- 
fires gleaming in the night gloom. In fancy I saw them roused by 
the long roll, and marshaled to the bugle note. In fancy I saw them 
drawn up in line of battle behind the " Banner of the Stars" and the 
Green Flag of Erin. In fancy I saw them making ready for the 
onset ; saw them moving forward steadily, quicker and quicker, until, 
with wild shouts of victory, they burst upon and scattered the foe. 
Spurred by such thoughts and fancies as these, my eager soul chafed 
its dwelling like a caged eagle who wishes to spread his pinions to 
the tempest's blast. But, alas ! impotently enough. 

In the jail at Salisbury there were, besides the regular military 
prisoners, some two or three hundred captives, who, though residino- 
in the South, had refused to take up arms in the black cause of the 
rebellion. For this offence they were ruthlessly torn from their 
homes and thrust into jail, where they were treated in the most 
heartless and brutal manner, much worse in fact than their com- 
panions. 

One of them attracted my attention particularly. His name was 
Humphrey AYillis, and he was one of the oldest and most respected 
men who lived in the Valley of the Shenandoah. From the beginning 
of our national troubles he had stood firmly by the Union, and de- 
nounced, in unmeasured terms, the vile demagogues who, from ambi- 
tious motives, sought its disseverance. Seventy -five years had passed 
over him, leaving him bent and tottering in frame, and his long locks 
as white as the driven snow. Yet, notwithstanding- this, he was 



96 SOUTHERN UNION PRISONERS. 

dragged from his little homestead in the Valley and cast into a dun- 
geon, where he would most likely perish ; for, when I bade him fare- 
well at Salisbury, there was no likelihood of his release, as he sternly 
bade defiance to his persecutors. A large proportion of these two or 
three hundred I have mentioned were Irishmen, who, like the noble old 
American, Humphrey Willis, had refused to raise their hands against 
the government of the United States. 

Some idea may be formed of the manner in which these unfortu- 
nate men were treated, when it is stated, that, during the last six 
weeks of my stay in the place, the deaths among them averaged at 
least iivo each day. The rebel commissary at Charleston, Captain 
Bogue, had, by his ill treatment of the prisoners under his charge, 
won for himself a very unenviable character; but he was surpassed 
by the commissary at Salisbury, who u?ed to serve out to the captives 
the most repulsive food that could well be imagined. The biscuit 
given to them were nearly as hard as stone, and filled with worms, 
while the meat was still worse. Many attempts have been made to 
throw the blame of this inhuman treatment upon the rebel oflBcers. but, 
that they were guiltless is proven by the fact that, the moment any one 
of them endeavored to ameliorate the condition of the prisoners, he 
was placed under arrest and cashiered. This was the fate of Colonel 
Jones, who had charge of the prisoners among whom I was when 
they were taken from Salisbury to Eichmond. He kindly allowed 
some of them to go to a hotel to get a dinner, and was immediately 
arrested for the act, and deprived of his command.^ 

The Avinter, with its dreary, dreary days, had passed away, and 
spring had ripened into sunyner, and still I remained a captive. 
Yet each hour that I .was detained made me only the more deter- 
mined to stand by the cause of my adopted country, come what would. 
It will be remembered' by the reader of these pages, that, about this 
period. Governor Morgan appointed me to the office of Harbor Master 
of New York, making a provision at the same time to pay my 
salary over to Mrs. Corcoran, while it should be my fortune to remain 
a prisoner. AVhen the news of my appointment reached me I felt, 
of course, highly honored ; but I experienced also a feeling that I 
should not accept an office and receive the emoluments attached 
thereto, without being there to attend to its duties. While I debated 
the matter in my mind, the following paragraph appeared in the 
Richmond Examiner of May 2d : 

" We learn that Colonel Corcoran, now confined in prison here, 
has been app(^nted to a lucrative government office in New York, 



MY APPOINTMENT TO OFFICl; 97 

his wife to receive his salary during his imprisonment. We suppose 
this has been given Corcoran as a sop for his martyrdom in the Lincoln 
caused 

I immediately penned the following letter to my friend, Captaii) 
Kirker : 

"Richmond, May 11, 1862. 
" Captain James B. Kirker, 599 Broadway : 

^' My Dearest Friend — I learn by your letter, and also through other 
sources, that his Excellency, Governor Morgan, has been pleased to 
appoint me one of the Harbor Masters of New York. I am confident 
that the appointment has not been solicited by any of my friends ; I, 
therefore, feel that his Excellency could be actuated by no other 
motive than that of the kindest consideration for my welfare ; and, 
while I am infinitely grateful, I am obliged, under the existing cir- 
cumstances, respectfully to decline the acceptance of the appointment. 
Many reasons clearly demonstrate the propriety of my action; amongst 
which I. mention the following: First, If in the possession of my 
liberty before the termination of this wicked rebellion, I desire to 
serve my country in the field by assisting to suppress it ; and, second, 
I cannot possibly think of accepting a salary for duty really per- 
formed by another person. You will, therefore, please have any 
money, which may have been paid to Mrs. Corcoran by Mr. Barber, 
immediately refunded. And, as I have no opportunity at present of 
writing to Governor Morgan and expressing my sentiments, will you 
do me the favor of performing the service, and take occasion to ex- 
press to him my warmest thanks ? * * * * " 
"And believe me your most devotedly attached, 

Michael Corcoran, 
Colonel Qdth K T. S. Ji." 

My health at this time was somewhat better than it had hitherto 
been, from two good causes ; first, while at Salisbury, I, together with 
some others, enjoyed the privilege of daily exercise on a large lot of 
ground attached to the prison ; and, second, the efibrts, which my 
friends had been continually making towards my release, seemed 
about to be crowned with success. My greatest fear has all along 
been that I might be detained a captive until the close of the war, 
and be deprived of any further opportunity of fighting upon the 
field. 

On the twenty-sixth of May, the flag-of-truce boat from Fortress 
Monroe, brought up Colonel Hanson, of Kentucky, Sot whom I was 



98 EXCITEMENT IN PETERSBURG. 

to be exchanged. During my stay amongst them, however, it seemed 
that the rebel authorities had conceived such an affection for me, or 
rather, with more truth, for my neck, that, upon the arrival of Colonel 
Hanson at City Point, they refused to give me up, excusing them- 
selves on some quibble or other. Colonel Hanson, who, though a 
rebel, is a man of sterling honor and integrity, was so disgusted at 
the perfidy of his government that he even refused to go ashore, and 
announced his determination to return to Washington and take the 
oath of allegiance to the United States. I was delighted when I 
heard these tidings, and thanked Heaven that through mo a noble but 
erring man had been induced to return to his devotion to the Stars 
and Stripes. Could my life be extended a thousand years, I would 
willingly spend every hour of the time in the deepest, darkest dun- 
geon, if I could thereby induce the erring sons of the South to follow 
Colonel Hanson's example. 

Before closing my narrative, I feel it proper to refer more fully in 
this connection to the difficulty with the Confederate authorities con- 
cerning my release. Upon ray first arrival in Petersburg in March 
last, a rumor reached me that I was to bo held as a hostage for the 
safety of General Buckner. The officer, in whose charge my fellow- 
prisoners and myself were placed, allowed us several privileges, 
which awakened the fierce ire of some, of the newspaper men, who 
immediately made the following editorial attack upon us, myself in 
particular, in the Express. The article was well displayed, and had, 
in large, black type, this sensation heading: 

"Hospitalities to the Yankee Prisoners. 

Great Excitement! 

" The indignation of the community was deeply aroused on Friday 

last, by the appearance of several Yankee prisoners, who had arrived 

in town that day, roaming freely about our streets. This indignation 

was heightened by the knowledge that these men had been received 

into the houses of one or more of our citizens, and that cicerones 

were in attendance upon them guiding them from one drinking- 

saloon to another, and what else the public does not know. 

* * * -» * * * * -x- * * 

"Early in the day information was carried to the Mayor, that 
Colonel Corcoran had been seen to enter the store of Messrs. Scott 
& Harrison, on Sycamore street, in company with Mr. Delany, the 
head cutter for Scott & Shafer, and that subsequent observation had 
discovered the Yankee Colonel seated inside in close conversation with 
several gentlemen. 



BROUGHT BEFORE THE MAYOR OF PETERSBURG. 99 

" Officer Peterson, who was detailed to inquire into tlie matter, 
took Dclany in charge, and brought him before the Mayor. Mr. 
A. L. Scott was also requested to attend the examination of Delanj. 
In the mean time the excitement of the crowd became very high near 
the store, and Colonel Corcoran was led out through the back entrance 
of the building, and conducted by officer Ledbetter to the Richmond 
depot, where the balance of the prisoners were under guard. Mr. 
Delany stated to the Mayor that he had known Colonel Corcoran 
intimately in Ireland and in New York, and that he had merely 
invited him into 'the store to give him a letter to carry to his, 
(Delany's) family, who were in New York. He stated, in addition, 
that he had said nothing to injure the South, which was confirmed 
by Mr. Scott, who said he fully believed Mr. Delany to be loyal to 
the South. 

"Colonel Corcoran had the letter in his possession, and a messenger 
was dispatched to fetch him before the Mayor. On being brought 
into court, Corcoran produced the letter, in which nothing objection- 
able was found. Delany was therefore discharged. 

"In this connection it is proper to add, that one, Conkling, a 
Northern clerk, employed by A. S. Shafcr, spent the entire forenoon 
in company with the prisoners in Pocahontas, and, for the most part 
of the time, was cheek by jowl with Colonel Corcoran, and more than 
on<;e invited the hero of Bull's Eun to a saloon near by, where the 
two enjoyed a social glass. Our authorities would do well to have 
an eye on Conkling." 

Like the generality of newspaper items, the whole affair above men- 
tioned was greatly exaggerated hj the reporter of the Express, who, 
I suppose, got his information from some third or fourth party. It 
was most likely this incident which gave rise to the rumor, that I had 
been detained by the Confederate authorities on account of having 
on my person maps and drawings of certain rebel fortifications. 
Now, aside from the fact, that no Union prisoner ever had the oppor- 
tunity of obtaining any such maps or drawings, it is well known, by 
at least those who know me, that had I had a thousand chances to do 
anything of the sort, I shoidd never have done so. Jfichael Corcoran, 
thank Heaven^ is a soldier, and not a spy. 

The time of my captivity grew shorter and shorter each day, and 
my anxiety to be released grew stronger and stronger in an equal 
degree ; for each passing hour lessened my longer absence from the 
command of the gallant regiment, at whose head it had been my 
honor to be captured. 



100 HOME AGAIN. 

I was anxious because, even so near as my deliverance was from 
the clutclies of Jeff. Davis and his minions, I was fearful that some 
point might be unexpectedly raised by them, which would detain me 
still longer a prisoner. 

I was not troubled, however, as I had hitherto been, with a fear 
of not getting home before the end of the war, for, by transpiring 
events, I was convinced that the latter would not have a termination 
for some time to come. 

Half of the month of August had passed before all doubt was 
removed from my mind, and then my fortune took a pleasant turn, 
indeed. I was ordered to prepare to go down to City Point, and the 
command fell upon my ears like the silvery tinkling of a crystal foun- 
tain falls upon the ears of a thirsty traveler in Arabia. Home, with 
its loved ones and friends, sprang up before my eyes like an enchant- 
ing vision, and swept every trace of care from my heart. 

As may readily be supposed, I needed no second command, and 
soon being aboard the steamer I commenced my journey home. 
Eagerly, very eagerly, did I strain my eyes down the river to catch 
the first glimpse of the Starry Flag, for which it had been my glori- 
ous lot to suffer for the past thirteen months. In due time I saw it, 
and, as my eyes fell upon its bright stars and stripes, my soul thrilled 
to its centre, and my Irish heart welled up with emotion such as it 
had never experienced before. And, in the wild shout of delight 
that went up from the prisoners, I joined to the full extent of my 
voice. 

Soon after I stepped, with Colonel Wilcox, my fellow-prisoner, on 
the deck of the Federal Truce Boat, and my captivity was ended. 
Thank God ! I was once more a free man. 

The events that took place subsequently, my countrymen are 
already familiar with, and, therefore, need no mention here. But, 
ere I lay down my pen, let me assure the reader of these pages that 1 
have again taken up the sword, and will never sheathe it until victory 
perches upon the National Banner of America, or Michael Corcoran 
is numbered among those who return not from the battle-field. 



THE END, 



